MedQuest Group posing in front of RRMC.
Vermont Business Magazine Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center’s (AHEC) MedQuest program provides a guided career exploration process into the field of health. Recently, 20 high school students over a three-day period, converged upon Rutland Regional Medical Center to shadow health professionals, perform simulated activities like lumbar punctures, suturing with special kits, as well as monitored their own vital signs and those of their student partners. What is distinctive about MedQuest is these activities are meant to elevate and engage student interest in the pursuit of a health career.
The job shadows enable the students to see how health professionals’ function in their respective environments; how they interact with other professionals, patients, and visitors. Through the health career panels, they hear personal stories of why they chose their health occupation. Under the direction of student mentors from the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, they dive into topics like medical ethics, health empathy, and social determinants of health. The MedQuest curriculum is designed and delivered by the medical school student mentors.
The final segment of MedQuest involves a poster presentation by each student highlighting their own personal journey, and which health career pathway they want to follow.
“Our MedQuest program provides opportunities for students to explore a side of health careers they might not otherwise experience in a typical school curriculum. It can also help them to reaffirm whether a career in health is something they want to do,” explained Amanda Richardson, Director of Health Careers with Southern Vermont AHEC.
For more information on MedQuest and other Southern Vermont AHEC programs visit www.svtahec.org
About Southern Vermont AHEC
Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center (SVTAHEC) is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to growing and sustaining southern Vermont’s health workforce, especially in our rural and underserved communities. We invest our resources in connecting students to health career exploration programs, meaningful college internships, and professional mentoring opportunities that will lead to increased access to primary and preventive care, and healthier communities. Southern Vermont AHEC is one of two independent nonprofit regional AHEC centers funded by federal, state, and community support working in partnership with the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine’s Office of Primary Care and AHEC Program.
Source: 8.8.2023. Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center. Rutland, Vermont www.svtahec.org
