Northern Michigan University camp introduces rural high school students to health careers

Northern Michigan University today is concluding its first ever Rural Health Careers Camp, designed to "provide rural high school students with a hands-on learning experience about different health careers and to show them the opportunities available in the health professions," says NMU.

"Students will experience health care simulations, receive CPR training, a tour of a local medical facility where they will learn how the various health professions work together to provide quality health care for individuals," reports NMU. "Also, students will receive information about education and training, academic requirements, financial aid and campus life. The staff the camp is comprised of health professions faculty, health professionals currently in practice and college students studying towards a profession."

Thirteen students participated in the camp, Rache Droze reports for Upper Michigan Source. Cindy Noble, executive director of the UP Area Health Education Center, told Droze, "We try to provide programs for disadvantaged or minority students or rural students throughout the UP to get more interest in the health professions due to some of the shortages that are predicted out there." Noble said they hope the program draws enough interest to become a yearly event. (Read more)

Similar programs are offered throughout the nation at many other schools, such as Northern Illinois University, University of Kentucky, Rockford University, University of Colorado, Montana State University and Southern Utah University.