BYRON – Byron High School Key Club members, Colten Gossett and Katelyn Koett, were chosen to attend the 2018 Rural Health Careers Camp June 25-28 at Rockford University.
Only 48 students were selected, via an applications process, from Boone, Bureau, Carroll, DeKalb, Henderson, Henry, JoDaviess, Knox, LaSalle, Lee, Mercer, Ogle, Putnam, Rock Island, Stark, Stephenson, Warren, Whiteside and Winnebago counties.
The camp was sponsored by the National Center for Rural Health Professions, in partnership with Rockford University, Rock Valley College, the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network and the Illinois Area Health Education Centers Network Program. The National Center for Rural Health Professions mission is: Recruit, admit, educate and train in-state health professions students who will practice in rural areas of Illinois following completion of their residencies or degree programs.
The purpose of the Rural Health Careers Camp is to provide rural Illinois high school students with hands-on learning experiences to increase their understanding of a variety of health professions. During the camp, students also received information about health careers education and training; academic requirements; financial aid; and campus life.
Camp offers the opportunity to explore health careers with peers who share interests and rural experiences. It is a fun and interactive way to learn about health careers students may want to pursue or to discover careers that they did not know existed. They meet new people, interact with health professionals, and find out what being a college student is really like.
The week included: Time at University of Illinois College of Medicine and OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center and hands-on rotations in labs: Emergency Medical, Accident Simulation with Rockford Police/Fire/Flight for Life, Heart Dissection Lab, Sports Medicine, Respiratory, Pharmacy, Bio Med, Nursing, Health Stats, and CPR training. They attended college prep sessions led by health professionals including physicians and educators and large group activities hosted by college students from around the country who are pursuing health professions and serve as camp counselors.
Campers stayed in the residence halls of Rockford University and in additional to learning, participated in recreational activities across the campus. The University staff hosted a parent session that included information about financial aid, scholarships, and college preparation.
Questions about this program can be emailed to rhine1@uic.edu or mailed to: Vicky Rhine, MPH University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford/NCRHP 1601 Parkview Ave., Rockford, IL 61107.