Vermont Business Magazine Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center (AHEC), in collaboration with the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont (GIV), has successfully concluded the GIV 2024 Health & Medicine South Institute at Vermont State University-Castleton. This transformative program welcomed sixty Vermont high school students for a week-long immersion into the world of health and medicine.
Throughout the institute, students participated in a series of dynamic, hands-on activities designed to explore various health careers. Activities included handling surgical instruments, performing neurological exams, learning about diabetes management through practical experiments, suturing with real kits, splinting, applying tourniquets safely, and participating in a Vermont Emergency First Responder (VEFR) class covering CPR/AED techniques.
They experienced college campus life by residing in the dorms, dining in the cafeteria, and engaging in recreational activities like volleyball and dodgeball during their free time.
Students also took part in simulated workshops on administering injections and a labor and delivery scenario. The culmination of their learning journey featured a mock Mass Casualty Incident, where they collaborated with the VEFR Team to manage multiple injuries under time pressure.
Guided by mentors from the Robert Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Vermont State University-Castleton, and the University of Vermont, students not only expanded their knowledge of healthcare and medical research but also gained valuable insights into diverse career paths within the field.
"This week of intensive health careers exploration and skill-building activities for students was made possible through the exceptional dedication of AHEC's program staff and our strong partnership with GIV," said Jennifer Scott, Executive Director of Southern Vermont AHEC. "Investing in Vermont’s future health workforce is more crucial now than ever."
Elizabeth Frascoia, Executive Director of the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont, remarked, "We're empowering dozens of enthusiastic young individuals to return to their communities with a deeper understanding of healthcare careers. This fills me with great optimism for the future of Vermont's healthcare workforce!"
The GIV 2024 Health & Medicine South Institute not only provided students with academic enrichment but also fostered new friendships and enhanced their self-confidence, preparing them to pursue impactful careers in healthcare.
For more information about Southern Vermont AHEC and upcoming programs, visit www.svtahec.org. For details about the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont, please visit www.giv.org.
Source: 7.24.2024. Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center. Springfield, Vermont 05156 www.svtahec.org
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