Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Community Hospital - Camp Med

What is it?

Now in its third year, Camp Med is a three-day, hands-on experience at the hospital that offers high school students a no-cost opportunity to learn about a wide array of health care careers. Hospital leaders selected three students for the 2014 summer event. Activities included using an endoscope and other surgical equipment, learning bandaging and casting, using imaging equipment, touring the ambulance and learning lifesaving medical procedures and participating in life-like scenarios. Students interacted with lab technicians, respiratory therapists, imaging technologists, physical and occupational therapists, nurses and doctors. Sessions were seven hours each day.

Who is it for?

High school students interested in health care careers

Why do they do it?

The hospital decided that this program may encourage students to return to the community to practice medicine. It also helps participants determine which health care field to pursue.

Impact

Camp Med students have gone on to attend nursing school or certified nursing assistant classes at the local junior college.

Contact: Karen Yost, Executive Assistant

Telephone: (307) 534-7020

Community Connections is an initiative of the AHA to support and highlight the work hospitals do every day in America.

Hospitals are working not just to mend bodies, but also to make their patients and communities healthier. This work extends far beyond the hospital building – bringing free clinics, job training, smoking-cessation classes, back-to-school immunizations, literacy programs and so many other resources, often with little fanfare, directly to the people of the community.

As the national advocate for hospitals, the AHA has consistently supported our members as they develop fair and compassionate policies to help improve access to care for the uninsured, as they work to expand wellness and prevention activities and as they routinely demonstrate their commitment to improving the health and addressing the unmet needs of their patients and communities.

Hospital members are encouraged to submit their stories today.