HSE students learn about health care in first Ascension St. Vincent Health Camp

Whether it is a high school internship program or postgrad residencies, Ascension St. Vincent Hospital has ways to help those interested in medical careers.

The health care provider’s Fishers campus recently expanded those opportunities and hosted 20 Hamilton Southeastern High School students at its first weeklong Health Camp.

The camp program started in Evansville, and Ascension in Fishers officials were interested in hosting their own version when it expanded.

“We get high school students in here twice a year, so we knew we could give them a great experience,” said Kimberly Nealon, chief nursing and operations officer. “They get to see some highlights of what that career path might look like. It’s been really fun.”

Approximately 90 students applied for the camp. Twenty were selected.

Rising HSE senior Athziri Santiago-Lemus said she appreciated the opportunity to learn more about everything that goes into a career in medicine.

“Being able to explore how much goes on in a hospital and how much goes into health care helps you clear up what you want to do when you’re older,” Santiago-Lemus said. “I’m thinking (of pursuing) cardiothoracic surgery, but it’s all fascinating. Everything in health care to me is fascinating.”

Students learned different aspects of health care throughout the week including blood stopping, infusion labs, sterile processing, robotic surgery and decontamination drilling. They also had several chances to shadow jobs.

“I believe that this experience helps develop a concrete path,” Nealon said. “Once you have passion behind what you’re interested in, school doesn’t feel like school. Hopefully, we can get (the uncertainty) out of the way while they’re in high school, so by the time they choose their major in college, it feels like they’re directed.”

Santiago-Lemus said she hopes the experience will help prepare her to become a health care professional.

“My biggest takeaway is to be openminded to all new careers and all the transformations that health care can go through,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity that has let me see a lot of what goes into a hospital and a lot of things I didn’t even know existed.”

For more, visit healthcare.ascension.org.