Memorial Hospital welcomes 15 students into this year’s Medical Explorers program. The Memorial Hospital Medical Explorers is a registered post of the nationally recognized branch of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Exploring is part of the Learning for Life’s career education program for young men and women by the BSA. The program welcomes young adults ages 14-21 who have an interest in healthcare careers. During the program at Memorial, students meet once a month and hear from different departments throughout Memorial and other community healthcare professionals.
The purpose of the program is to provide experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Memorial’s Medical Exploring Program is designed to create a unique, hands-on structure that provides learning activities for the participants’ special interests and help guide them to a future career in the healthcare field.
This year’s Explorers include the following students from the listed schools: Chester High School – Josalynn Anaya, Gavin Cowan, Korbin Jany, Camryn Luthy, Liberty McCormick, Jacob Pfeiffer, Paige Thomas, and Mabry Wingerter. Sparta High School – Elizabeth Hall, Abigail Heinen, Jada Long, Emily Sangurima. TRICO High School – Qwentin McBride and Gavin Wilks. Gibault High School – Elseah Congiardo.
This year students will hear from familiar departments such as Human Resources, Diagnostic Imaging, Nursing, and the Rehab Center. Some of the new professionals the Explorers will have presentations from this year include, Memorial Hospital’s Laboratory Department, Chester Family Dental, the Randolph County Coroner, and the Chester Police and Fire Departments. “We really want to give students a look at the many healthcare related career options in our rural area and try to introduce them to a variety of professions,” says, Mariah Bargman, program director. “By introducing them to as many career paths as possible, we hope they will find one that peaks their interest and helps them make a plan for their future.” Each year adjustments are made to programing to incorporate new careers and expand on what Explorers learned the year prior. “Students have the opportunity to join multiple years, so ensuring the program is always fresh and exciting is important to keep them engaged,” says Bargman.
As an Explorer, students are given privileges to job shadow in many departments and with specialty providers. They also get the opportunity to build connections, and network with professionals throughout healthcare. This helps further their understanding of the daily demands different healthcare workers experience and help them make better decisions in a career path that may fit their abilities and interests. Explorers who are seniors in High School or attending college are able to apply for a scholarship. The scholarship application process includes extra job shadowing hours and short essays. A committee will then evaluate their performance and editorial pieces, and a $500 scholarship is awarded by the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.