Articles

UPMC, YMCA host middle school health career camp

Category: Lifestyle Published on Friday, 07 September 2012 09:49 Written by Courier Newsroom

In a partnership with the Thelma Lovett YMCA in the Hill District, the UPMC Center for Inclusion and the YMCA hosted 15 to 20 middle school students for the Health Career Summer Camp. This two-week health career experience was designed for middle school students, ages 11-14, interested in exploring the world of health care. UPMC professionals served as instructors, mentors and role models.

LEARNING HOW TO FLY—The kids in the program and staff from UPMC as well as the crew of the chopper pose together for photos after exposing the youth to what it takes to fly a helicopter and its importance to saving lives.

This program is intended to reach out to underserved middle school students who have an interest in pursuing a health care career. Students in the summer program attended off-site tours, heard presentations about the different health professions, and participated in computer and library labs. In addition, students also participated in physical fitness activities. The UPMC Center for Inclusion’s goal is to stimulate the interest of these students in pursuing degrees in the health sciences.

In addition to hearing several presentations, the students got a chance to visit the helipad at UPMC Mercy.