Page 6 - TTMNSpring2025

Health and Medicine
Page 6 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaymn.com

‘Scrub Club’ Highlights Medical Careers Continued from Page 4
There are careers in radiology, emergency could look like in different types of business
medicine, physical therapy, medical equip- settings.”
ment, respiratory therapy, nutrition, support Bjornson added that the experience isn’t
services and more,” said Bjornson. “Partici- just a one-way opportunity for students, but is
pants can attend any or all meetings that they mutually beneficial.
have a desire to learn more about.” “I personally get a lot out of planning and
“It’s a team sport,” Contreras told stu- presenting the program,” she said. “Reflect-
dents, adding that each hospital position ing on my journey and talking about my
addresses essential aspects of care. career journey reminds me of my reason why
Students found that professional insight I became a nurse and why I chose to work
helpful as they explored various aspects of the in a community hospital. I also can see in
emergency department. other staff who volunteer for this program the
“The reason I’m here tonight is because energy and excitement that they bring to the
my dad’s a doctor,” said sophomore Claire club, sharing their story of how and why they
Martin. “So I’ve always kind of seen what it’s went into their chosen profession.”
about, but I’ve never gotten to actually experi- Anyone with an interest is welcome
ence it, and I just want to see if it’s an option to connect with Cox at the high school. His
for my future.” contact information is available at www.bhm-
schools.org.
Partnership Opportunities
Gaining that personal access to a profes-
“As a mother of high school-age students, hard to sort out the route to achieving goals. sional setting is a powerful thing, according to www.bhmschools.org
I know there is so much pressure to know what Getting the students in an environment and Cox.
you want to do next,” said nurse and Surgical exposed to people working in these careers “My dream is that we could eventually
Services Manager Jill Bjornson. “Everyone helps them [understand] what the career path have kids do something similar, on site, in
asks, ‘What are your plans after high school?’ might look like.” a variety of other career fields too,” he said.
It is really hard to know if a specific career fits Each speaker explained how their role fits “We invite area business people, if they are
not only your interests, but also the long-term into the hospital’s larger mission of helping curious about how they can partner with us, to
goals and lifestyle that one desires to achieve. those in need. reach out. We want to create opportunities for
So many things have to be considered, and it’s “It isn’t just about being a doctor or nurse. kids, and sometimes we don’t know what that

EMTs in Training Put in “Pressure Cooker” Continued from Page 5
wrong medicine. Her boyfriend, coming to an EMT. She’s also attending pre-PA school. Opportunities in Emergency Care is
her rescue, has fallen down the bleachers. Anna graduated in 2023 and works as an part of the Health and Human Services
Teams split up to address each victim closely EMT. pathway at Spring Lake Park High School.
monitored by two judges. They both recall how their state compe- There are three Career and College Path-
Down the hallway, in a pod of class- tition experience helped them improve their ways that each represent a need for future
rooms, spaces have been set up with real skills and prepare them for what they are jobs. Students explore careers, gain skills,
car seats. The scenario is a car rollover. One doing today. work on real-world projects and even earn
victim was ejected from the car. The other college credit and certifications.
wore their seatbelt (safety lesson!) and Outcomes
remained in the vehicle. Again, each victim At the end of the day, The Backboard
requires a different response. Battalion team comes in first. Spring Lake
Park High School’s Opportunities in Emer- springlakeparkschools.org
Volunteer Victims gency Care program sweeps every category.
At each stop, volunteers fulfill impor- “We work hard to create a culture where
tant roles. The competition relies on more students don’t mind
than 100 volunteers to assist as scenario failing, and they learn
evaluators, victims, runners, registration, how to do hard things,”
photographers and more. says Bill. “If I do every-
Victim volunteers wear pink shirts that thing right, there comes
proudly state – I’m the victim here. When a point when they can
victims gather for their briefing, they seem unteer leads for one of the scenarios. Both coach themselves.”
almost giddy for what lies ahead. Volunteer are graduates who regularly volunteer their Overall, the expe-
victims include many students in first aid time to the program because they know first- rience is much less
courses and National Honor Society. Their hand what that volunteer commitment meant about who wins. The
briefing covers how to “act” like a victim. to their own experience as students. focus is on using this
Over the course of the day, they will be “I wanted to help students have the experience to improve.
poked, lifted, prodded, wrapped, rolled, and same experience I did,” says Anna. “The Everyone who
more. volunteers are so important for making it comes to this event is
Paige Olson and Anna Gilardi (at right) realistic.” better when they leave.
wear yellow vests indicating they are the vol- Paige graduated in 2024 and works as Across the board.