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MedStart 2012
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MedStart Summer Camp 2012 applications are now available at www.mtahec.org. Application deadline is March 16, 2012.
Learn more about the NEW Virtual HOSA Chapter and how students from across the state can get involved! Find out more on the Montana HOSA website. |
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| Issue: # 30 |
January /2012
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Connecting Students to Health Careers
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Greetings!
 A new year is off and kicking in full force!!
I hope that everyone had wonderful holidays! 2012 is already here and the new year is flying by. Many events are already starting off. Let us keep you updated.
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Health Science Scholarships! | |
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North Central Montana AHEC Contest
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Attention freshman and sophomores in high School currently attending public, private, or home school in the following counties: Blaine, Cascade, Chouteau, Glacier, Hill, Judith Basin, Liberty, Meager, Pondera, Teton, or Toole.
The North Central AHEC office is launching a contest for groups of 2-5 students in 9th-10th grade to create a 30 sec to 1 minute PSA (public service announcement) video clip on a pertinent community health issue. Each group of students will work with their public health department nurse to identify the health topic and learn about career opportunities in public health. The top three videos will be awarded a state of the art Celestron LCD Microscope with digital camera and group viewing capabilities plus 100 slides, possible award from their local health department, and the use of their video in community health campaigns. Application deadline is February 15, 2012. Please see our website (www.ncmtahec.org) for an application and contest guidelines. If you have further questions, you can email or call Morgen at morgen@mtha.org / 406-467-2455.
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MedStart Summer Camp |
MedStart Summer Camp 2012 - Applications Now Available!
MedStart Summer Camp is an AHEC funded program designed to encourage current junior and senior high school students to pursue their interest in a variety of healthcare careers. AHEC focuses on accepting students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, low-income families, rural areas, minorities, or will be first in their family to attend college. The aim of MedStart is to provide students who may not otherwise have the opportunity a chance to further explore healthcare careers, learn about college life, and realize it is possible to pursue higher education. Students often think of healthcare as including only "doctors and nurses" and MedStart tries to break down that stereotype by educating students on the large variety of high skill, high paid, high demand careers available in the healthcare industry. MedStart is completely free of charge to the students.
MedStart is a week long program and offers many opportunities to students. Curriculum sessions during the week include sheep heart dissection, blood typing, suturing on pig's feet, job shadowing, and taking blood pressures.  College Support sessions included a financial aid presentation, a current health profession student panel, and a campus tour. Recreation and Social sessions can include things such as bowling, hiking, museum trips, Lewis and Clark Caverns, rafting trips, and a Zoo Montana tour. After camp each regional AHEC office matches the MedStart student with a healthcare professional from their hometown in the hopes of establishing a mentor/mentee relationship and continuing the job shadowing process.
There will be 4 camps during the summer of 2012:
- Billings - MSU-B Campus: June 24th-29th, 2012
- Missoula - U of M Campus: June 24th-29th, 2012
- Bozeman - MSU Campus: June 24th-30th, 2012
- Great Falls - University of Great Fallls Campus: July 8th-13th, 2012
On the application students have the option to rank the above 4 camps in order of preference. The 2012 MedStart application deadline will be March 16, 2012. One hundred ten total students will be accepted state-wide.
For more information, please contact Bergen Morehouse, South Central Montana AHEC, Assistant Director 406.683.2790 or bergen@mtha.org
www.mtahec.org |
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Graduation Matters |
In order to ensure that Montana's public schools are meeting the goal of graduating more students ready for college and careers, Superintendent Juneau has launched Graduation Matters Montana. Whether you are a community leader, business owner, educator, student or family member, your help is needed in ensuring students in our state graduate ready for college and careers.
Local Graduation Matters Initiatives Superintendent Juneau supports the implementation of locally-designed Graduation Matters initiatives that engage schools, communities, businesses and families in a focused effort to increase the number of students who graduate prepared for college and careers.
Local Graduation Matters initiatives have already launched in Billings, Belgrade, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Hamilton, Helena, Kalispell, Missoula and Townsend. This Fall, more than half of Montana high school students have a Graduation Matters initiative in their town.
We feel all our health science students should "take the pledge" to graduate! Learn more about "Graduation Matters" by following the link Graduation Matters |
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Education Spotlight: Phlebotomy |
Phlebotomists collect blood for donation or so the blood can be analyzed in a clinical laboratory. Blood tests are used to diagnose illness, evaluate the effectiveness of medications, and determine whether a patient is receiving proper nutrition.
To collect blood from an arm vein, the phlebotomist first applies a tourniquet to the upper arm to slow blood flow. An alcohol swab is used to disinfect a small area near the inside of the elbow. The phlebotomist then locates a vein and inserts a needle, a process called "venipuncture."
Phlebotomists can also sample blood through skin puncture, such as pricking a finger to test a patient's blood sugar or determine blood type. The phlebotomist must ensure that all equipment is properly sanitized before it is used to collect blood. Accurate labeling, proper storage and careful transport are also key responsibilities.
Misidentification or contamination of a blood sample can have serious consequences, because medical professionals rely on blood test results to diagnose patients and monitor treatment progress.
The phlebotomist also must observe strict safety protocols to avoid direct contact with the blood. Many infectious diseases, including HIV and hepatitis, can be transmitted through blood contact. Even the slightest distraction can lead to a "needlestick" injury and possible infection.
Phlebotomy degrees are available in Montana at the following schools:
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Curriculum In-A-Box
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Brains, Guts, Eyes, Ear, Muscles and Bones...Oh My!
 Our curriculum boxes contain a wealth of resources and lessons related to the human body, body systems, health, diseases and prevention, and health careers. The trunks are designed for grades 4 - 8, but the materials and lessons are easily adaptable for older and younger students. These boxes are approved by OPI and can be used by teachers, counselors, administrators and/or parents.
The boxes are free of charge. Contact your regional AHEC to arrange delivery. To reserve a curriculum box and/or obtain a list of box contents visit: http://mtahec_inabox.airset.com/
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REACH and "Chicks in Science" |
Upcoming REACH camps in Eastern Montana: 
Hardin - January 25th
Lewistown - February 15th
Columbus - March 28th
Baker- April 25th
Also there is a "Chicks in Science" event scheduled for March 3rd- MSU- Billings
Here is some information on this event:
"Chicks in Science" was developed in 2008 to encourage grade school and middle school-aged girls to enter math- and science-related fields. The event routinely draws hundreds of participants and about 50 booths from area science- and math-based exhibitors.
Studies show that between the fourth and eighth grades, girls start losing interest in math and science. Yet, industry surveys indicate that many emerging careers will require an understanding of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and the problem-solving, critical thinking, adaptive and collaborative skills gained through the study of these subjects.
"Chicks in Science" works to breach the psychological barriers, gender expectations, and the "coolness" factors that can stop girls from entering science and math fields. "Chicks in Science" strives to abolish those negative and fearful attitudes about math and science and discredit the stereotype of the 'nerdy' scientist.
Students can contact their school counselors for more information. Also there is more information about the "Chicks in Science" event on MSU- Billings website: MSU-Billings |
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Career Spotlight: Gerontology
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Gerontology is the branch of science that focuses on what happens to us as we get older. Gerontologists study how aging affects us mentally, socially and physically. People are living much longer than they used to, which is creating new opportunities for health workers who specialize in caring for elderly patients.
As people get older, their bodies change. Bones become more brittle. Muscles lose their tone. The immune system doesn't work as well. As a result, older people are more likely to suffer from health problems, including both acute (sudden, severe) and chronic (ongoing) conditions.
Older people are more likely to experience heart disease, arthritis and diabetes. Their risk of cancer and certain mental health issues increases. Even common conditions, like colds and broken bones, take longer to heal.
That's why older people often have multiple health concerns. A patient may be receiving treatment for high blood pressure, cataracts, and back pain from three different doctors. She may be taking several different medications every day.
Older people usually require more health care, but evidence suggests the Baby Boomers are even more likely to seek medical attention. This post-WWII population, born between 1946 and 1964, made more than half of all doctor visits in 2001 according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
This is also the fastest-growing patient population. By 2030, more than one-fifth of Americans - 70 million individuals - will be over age 65. As the Baby Boomers age, career opportunities will grow for most health workers, particularly those who seek additional training in the health needs of the elderly, such as:
text courtesy of www.explorehealthcareers.org
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AHEC - The Basics
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This E-News is being sent to you by the Montana Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) in order to open a dialogue among educators about Health Science Education for K-12 students of Montana. Through this newsletter we intend to:
1) build a shared resource of activities, materials, and lesson plans to draw on in teaching the health sciences
2) highlight the cross-curriculum nature of the health sciences
3) build an interest in and awareness of health career paths for students in the state of Montana
Please contact us with your comments, ideas, questions or projects you'd like to see highlighted in future issues of this e-newsletter. And thank you for the work you do every day to inspire and support Montana kids!
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Sincerely,
Montana AHECs (Area Health Education Centers)
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