Medical Topics Course Gives High-Schoolers Hands-On Experience

As Jasmine Walker heads to college this fall to pursue a career in neurosurgery, the graduate is happy for the hands-on experience she received through ’s Medical Topics course.

Through an agreement with Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora, and Oswego East High School students planning to enter the medical field can apply for the course that allows them to spend two days a week in classroom instruction at their respective schools and three days a week for on-site job shadowing, working with doctors, nurses and therapists at Rush Copley.

This summer, the District 308 School Board approved continuing the course through the 2012-13 school year.

“We had rotations every few weeks and would switch departments,” Walker said. “Nurses taught me how to draw blood, but most of the time is spent talking to the patients and learning about what goes on in a hospital and what has to be done for a patient. It definitely makes you more confident before you go to college.”

Walker, who knew as a freshman in high school she wanted to one day be a neurosurgeon, said Rush Copley employees helped her feel at ease with the patients.

“The nurses were really great at the hospital,” she said. “They only let us do things if they thought we were ready.”

Dawn Johnson, Oswego High School science department chair and Medical Topics teacher at the school, said the hands-on experience helps students know if they want to pursue a career in the medical field.

Students “absolutely get a taste of real life in the medical professions and they find that really significant,” she said.

This  year, the prerequisites for the course will change slightly, said Jordanna Iddings, science department chair and Medical Topics teacher at Oswego East High School. Students planning to enter the medical field will take the advanced anatomy and physiology courses their junior year instead of senior year, and apply for the Medical Topics class as seniors.

“The reason we switched is we’re noticing a lot of students waiting until their senior year to take anatomy and physiology and then thinking, ‘Maybe I don’t have a passion for this,’” Iddings said.

The partnership between the high schools and Rush Copley began in 1995. This agreement involves no cost to the district.

“We have been so appreciative of their being that site for us,” said Carla Johnson, District 308's executive director of teaching and learning.

Dawn Johnson said the feedback from students who participate is “very positive.”

“They often become very excited about new specialities or new medical field jobs,” she said. “And they get excited because it’s the real world and it’s hands on.”

Iddings said the life experience they gain through the program is invaluable.

“They go out and learn how to interact with people,” she said. “I see the kids learn more about relationships and gain confidence in themselves and their own ability.”

Walker, who heads to Emory University in Georgia this fall, said the course helps students solidify their decision to pursue the medical field.

“If you can’t go to the hospital and deal with the people then you don’t want to go to school for all of this education,” she said.