YKHC is working with the Lower Kuskokwim School District (LKSD) to coordinate a Healthcare Summer Camp which started with fervor on Memorial Day. A group of students in grades 9 -12 from surrounding communities gathered in the Blueberry room to begin their eleven-day camp with an agenda packed with fun and educational events and activities.
The camp will run from Monday, May 27 to Thursday, June 6, culminating in a graduation ceremony at Suurvik Cinema at 6 p.m. Since the camp started this week, students have been immersed in and participated in activities that spark interest in the various job categories through conversations with health professionals in and outside of the YKHC.
Aaron VanCamp, one of our ER nurses, kick started the camp by sharing his experience as a rescue diver and all the excitement that comes with it. With his experiences and credentials as a rescue diver, emergency medical technician (EMT) and registered nurse (RN), Aaron captivated the students with his experiences and how being an EMT and RN provided the perfect complement to becoming a successful rescue diver, a career that is as relevant in our region as it is in other parts of the world.
Taylor Feightner of Tundra Women’s Center provided the students with an overview of Teens Acting Against Violence (TAAV) and engaged students in activities that will help them recognize the diversity that exists in our communities and the value and importance of being loving, respectful, accepting, and embracing of those who may be different from us. TAAV will be making a series of presentations to the students throughout the camp.
Physician Melissa “Missy” Liner and Resident Physician Abigail Piccolo shared their journey to becoming physicians and sparked interest in a couple of the students. Piccolo mentioned that she already loves YKHC even though she has only been here for under two weeks and hopes to return to work for YKHC when she is done with her residency.
The first day ended with the introduction to CPR/First Aid class by our LKSD colleague, Jen Bacus. At the end of camp, each student will have earned their First Aid/CPR certification, a credential that will be invaluable as they return to their respective villages and give them an edge as they prepare for healthcare careers.
The second day began with a visit from the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), Kuskokwim Campus (KuC) nursing students accompanied by their Health Careers Advisor Hugh Dyment. Among the camp students is an aspiring obstetric nurse, Raylena Nicholas, whose desire to be a nurse was fueled when UAA KuC nursing students Danika Bailie and Venassa Yazzie and their advisor talked to students about nursing career pathways and provided students with hands-on opportunities to take blood pressure. One of the students commented that it was good to see nursing students they can relate to as Alaska Natives. Danika returned in the afternoon to offer additional words of encouragement and reaffirmed her support to students by providing them with her contact information in case students have additional questions about pursuing a nursing career.
YKHC’s Clinical Nurse Educator John Morris gave students a brief overview of infection prevention, stressing the importance of proper hand-washing and leading the students through the proper hand-washing process before taking the students on a tour of the hospital. Students were surprised to see what was left on their hands visible with a glow light, even after they washed their hands.
The dental department was represented at the camp by Kara Stevens and Anastasia Streb, both of whom talked to students about their roles and responsibilities as dental assistants and shared career opportunities that students may pursue after high school graduation. Students were excited about their dental swag gifts awaiting pick up on their next visit to the hospital later this week.
The highlight of day three was the visit to Arctic Chiropractic. The students were fascinated by some of the things they learned and saw at the clinic and left in high spirits wearing their swag gifts. They were grateful for the informative session and hospitality extended to them by the Arctic staff.
Our camp students shared:
“Nursing students Danika Bailie and Venassa Yazzie made it seem really cool to be a nurse. I liked how they showed us how to take blood pressure. Showing us how to take blood pressure and then giving us a chance to take each other’s blood pressure was something I really liked.” -Raylena Nicholas, Grade 11, Akula Elitnaurvik, Kasigluk, Career Goal: Obstetric Nurse
“I am grateful to be here at camp because I am learning a lot about what it will take to become a nurse. I was excited to take someone’s blood pressure. Seeing a local Alaska Native nursing student made me excited to be a dental nurse.” -Bessie Jimmy, Chaputnguak High School/KLA, Chefornak, Grade 12, Career Goal: Dental Health Aide Therapist (DHAT) or Dental Nurse
“The rescue diving presentation made me feel like I could be a rescue diver. I swim a lot and there is a great need for rescue divers in our villages, especially when people go missing or when snow machines and boats sink in the river. Learning CPR on the first day was good too as I will need those skills when I join the military police and/or become a rescue diver.” -John Friendly, Grade 11, Eek School, Career Goal: Military Police
Our Healthcare Camp activities are aligned with the Napartet Strategy to build a strong Alaska Native workforce as they shape and reinforce a strong foundation through early exposure to health careers and provide students from our village communities with opportunities to learn and engage with a variety of health professionals.
Given the fun learning activities during the first week of camp, the students look forward with eager anticipation to what is in store for them between now and camp graduation on Thursday, June 6.