CARTHAGE, New York (WWNY) - While schools are on winter break, local hospitals have turned into high school classrooms. It’s a camp where students interested in healthcare get first-hand experience of what it’s like to do the job.
“So far the emergency room is my favorite,” said South Lewis Central School senior Emma Spann. “I feel like it would be really interesting to help somebody recover from a brain injury or stroke.”
Six students were inside rooms at Carthage Area Hospital Thursday learning a variety of things like how physical therapy is done and how to draw blood.
It’s all part of the Medical Academy of Science and Health or MASH Camp.
For Carthage Area Hospital, leaders see it as an investment, hoping the future healthcare workers will stay in the area after college.
“Hopefully we can be a stepping stone in their journey as they think about the healthcare sector and hopefully return to the north country,” said CAH Chief Operating Officer Jerian O’Dell.
The camp is organized by the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization which looks forward to giving students this opportunity.
“MASH Camp is by far the most popular pipeline program,” said FDRHPO Deputy Director Pat Fontana.
On Friday, students will again be at Carthage Area Hospital. Earlier this week, students were welcomed to other hospitals like Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, Lewis County Health in Lowville, and River Hospital in Alexandria Bay.