The potential health-care professionals of tomorrow will learn the tools of the trade and practice their clinical skills at The University of Toledo’s 17th annual CampMed program this week.
The 45 participants, who will be high school freshmen in schools across northwest Ohio this fall, will get a taste of medical school for two days learning CSI-style forensic science, experiencing what it’s like to suit up in surgical gear, touring a gross anatomy lab and more.
The two-day program will be held Thursday, June 19, and Friday, June 20, on UT’s Health Science Campus.
CampMed is a scholarship program at no cost to the students, most of whom are first-generation college, minority, rural and other underrepresented groups.
“It’s imperative to reach out to young people early to nurture their interests in science and discovery. Their dreams for the future, which for some might include becoming a doctor, are attainable, and we want to show them there are people who want to help,” said Kathy Vasquez, director of the UT and Ohio Area Health Education Center programs, and UT associate vice president for government relations.
“CampMed gives students the opportunity to learn firsthand what it’s like to be in the medical field before they even start high school. The participants really enjoy learning from current students in the UT College of Medicine and Life Sciences.”
The camp is sponsored by the UT Area Health Education Center program, which strives to improve the health of individuals and communities by developing the health-care work force. UT medical students serve as camp counselors. Camp participants also will interact with physicians and professors.
CampMed, which works to spark interest in the medical field for the students entering high school, began in 1998. The competitive program requires students to submit a letter of recommendation, a nomination from a science or math teacher or counselor, and a personal essay to be chosen to participate.
