Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy inspire RPS205 high schoolers to pursue health careers

Posted on October 25, 2023
Inspire RPS205 high schoolers
Photo 1 (L-R): Medical students and faculty demonstrate suturing techniques. Back row: Sopuluchukwu Anidobu, M2, Rafael Torres, M2, and Dr. Sam Pope; Front row: Abigail Cuevas, M3, Yadesh Prashad, MD, PGY2, and Amaka Okagbue, M2. Photo 2 (L-R): Medical Biotechnology Program attendees, Dr. Thura Tun Oo, Akshada Jitendra Mutha, Myna Adhikari, Edgar Lopez, Meenal Karundanidhi, Evan Tarlach, Bavavarshini Tamilselvam and Shrushti Subhash Shah proudly display their Best in Show Health Academy 2023 booth award. Not pictured Jacob Barnard and Sneha Stalin.

On Wednesday, October 18, 2023, student and faculty representatives from the University of Illinois Chicago Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy participated in the Rockford Public Schools District 205 Career Academy Expo 2023 held at Mercyhealth Sportscore Two Complex. The campus hosted three booths including one each for medicine, medical biotechnology and pharmacy.

At the College of Medicine booth, medical students, residents and faculty provided information to the high school students about how to prepare for a career in the health professions, a suturing activity and a blood pressure station.

At the Medical Biotechnology Program stations students could learn about various types of medical research including the different levels of organization found in the body and the types of diagnosis and treatment research using nanomedicine, biosensors, mRNA vaccines, stem cells, and implants. The students saw how proteins and markers of interest can be identified from cells, tissue samples, and animal models. The booth gave the students a glimpse into the kinds of experiments that MBT students conduct as part of their research projects here at UICOMR which helps set them up for working in industry or pursuing a PhD in the future. Special congratulations to the MBT Program team for winning best booth at the expo!   

At the College of Pharmacy booth, high school students learned how to correctly read a prescription and dispense tablets into patient bottles. Staff members from the Office of Student Affairs also shared information about the various career paths within the profession of pharmacy.

Launched in 2014, the Academy Expo is an opportunity for RPS 205 high school freshmen to engage with representatives from area businesses and explore potential career opportunities. RPS 205 Academies include business, health, public service and production.

Modified on October 25, 2023