On Nov. 11, students from six local high schools spent the evening at Union for West Tennessee Healthcare’s Medical Explorers event hosted by the School of Pharmacy.
The evening included an overview of pharmacy as a career, a tour of Providence Hall and compounding demonstration groups.
Medical Explorers, a monthly event for students age 14 to 21, gives the students exposure to the various health care careers available. Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and West Tennessee Healthcare have sponsored the program for the past 20 years.
Jan Williams, college nurse recruiter at West Tennessee Healthcare, said the organization focuses on various health care careers.
“Every month we have a different presenter and the whole purpose is exposure but not to lecture in a classroom,” Williams said.
The School of Pharmacy has been involved in the pharmacy portion of the program for the last three years.
The high school students who attended this session are interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy. The event was designed to present them with the options available in Union’s School of Pharmacy.
Aven Humphreys, director of Pharmacy Outreach, said the event enabled high school students in the region to meet School of Pharmacy faculty and students.
“The Jackson community is important to Union and the School of Pharmacy,
Humphreys said. “We want to give area high school students involved in Medical Explorers the opportunity to be in our facility, meet our current students and faculty, see firsthand what pharmacy looks like and hear about the many career possibilities that a Doctor of Pharmacy degree will provide for them.”
“We get to show these students, in a unique way, the many ways that pharmacists directly impact patient care,” Humphreys said. “The energy and excitement that this age group brings to the event gives us great hope that the future of health care will be in great hands.”
For some students, participation in the Medical Explorers program leads to a career in the medical field.
This is the case for Union alumna Elizabeth Hoffman. Before participating in the nursing portion of the exploratory program, Hoffman was planning to go to a different school and study music.
“I didn’t even choose Union until the summer before I went to Union,” Hoffman said. “I’m from around here, so I always thought I’d go off to school.”
When Hoffman got involved with the Medical Explorers program, she changed her mind.
“It’s a good way to test the waters,” Hoffman said. “It’s an easy way to get a bird’s eye view before you make a commitment.”
Williams explained that the experience is a key benefit to the Medical Explorers program. She said the program is good for Union and West Tennessee Healthcare because it brings in more students to Union and provides Jackson with more health care professionals.
“The technology that Union has to offer grabs their attention immediately,” Williams said. “They leave Union University with a sense of ‘this is where I want to go.’ They’re just that good.”