Memorial Hospital welcomes 42 students into this year’s Medical Explorers program. The Memorial Hospital Medical Explorers is a registered post of the nationally recognized branch of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Exploring is part of the Learning for Life’s career education program for young men and women by the BSA. The program welcomes young adults ages 14-21 who have an interest in healthcare careers. During the program at Memorial, students meet once a month and hear from different departments throughout Memorial and other community healthcare professionals.
The purpose of the program is to provide experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Memorial’s Medical Exploring Program is designed to create a unique, hands-on structure that provides learning activities for the participants’ special interests and help guide them to a future career in the healthcare field.
This year’s Explorers include the following students from the listed schools: Chester High School – Josalynn Anaya, Jordan Buskohl, Katelin Conway, Liberty McCormick, Mabry Wingerter, Beatriz DeGuzman, Emily Heinemeyer, Emma Murphy, Maggie Caby, Caleb Coffey, Callie Davis, Natalie Guetersloh, Madi Stauffer, Morgan Throop, Monica Anaya, Bailey Hartmann, Kylie Hicks, Aubrey Petrowske, Camdyn Quillman, Olivia Sellers, Amelia Terry, Taylor Throop, Breanna Tucker, and Katie Werner. Gibault High School – Elseah Congiardo. Sparta High School –Abigail Heinen. Steeleville High School – Audrey Gladson, Victor Mathis, Taylor Mortrud, Avery Roberts, Hannah Runyon, Kamryn Patterson, and Ella Tripp. SWIC – Emily Sangurima. TRICO High School – Lydia Williamson, Addyson McClaine, Olivia Thies, Makayla Gordon, Bevon Stewart, Aubrey Cotter, Madilynn Holt, and Graci Laffoon.
This year students will hear from familiar departments such as Diagnostic Imaging, Nursing, the Pharmacy, and first responders. One of the new professionals the Explorers will have present this year is Rheinecker Chiropractic Care. Each year adjustments are made to programing to incorporate new careers and expand on what Explorers learned the year prior. “We have a large group this year which is exciting. Each year we strive to give students a look at the many healthcare related career options in our rural area and try to introduce them to a variety of professions,” says, Mariah Bargman, program director. “By introducing them to as many career paths as possible, we hope they will find one that piques their interest and helps them make a plan for their future.”
As an Explorer, students are given privileges to job shadow in many departments and with specialty providers. They also get the opportunity to build connections, and network with professionals throughout healthcare. This helps further their understanding of the daily demands different healthcare workers experience and help them make better decisions in a career path that may fit their abilities and interests. Explorers who are seniors in High School or attending college are able to apply for a scholarship. The scholarship application process includes extra job shadowing hours and short essays. A committee will then evaluate their performance and editorial pieces, and a $500 scholarship is awarded by the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
