The Medical Explorers Program gives local high school students firsthand exposure to careers in health care.
Medha Dabral, 14, a freshman at the Academy of Allied Health and Science in Neptune, has been interested in the medical field since she was 6. So when she heard about an opportunity to participate in the Medical Explorers program at Monmouth Medical Center (MMC), she couldn’t wait to sign up. “I thought the program could help me decide on a career goal,” she says. Medha is one of 31 students from six area high schools who are participating in the program, which was launched in partnership with the Scouts of America in November 2018.
“We introduced this program in the hopes that it would provide an opportunity for students in our community to gain exposure to fields they may not have been aware of,” says MMC Chief Executive Officer Eric Carney. Medical Explorers, which is open to young adults between the ages of 14 and 20, is led by Pranoy Mohapatra, MHA, Manager of Medical Education at MMC.
“There’s a lack of information on the types of careers that are available in health care,” he says. “For instance, the students in our program didn’t know what interventional radiology was, and they hadn’t heard of a cardiac catheterization lab. I hope the program opens the students’ eyes to fields they hadn’t considered.”
Exploring career options
Once a month, the students gather at the hospital to learn about various areas of medicine, such as pharmacy and radiology. During each session, health care professionals describe their jobs and explain what kind of educational background is required. Students tour the department they’re learning about and gain hands-on experience (one session involved CPR compressions in the hospital’s Simulation & Clinical Skills laboratory). They also have the opportunity to ask questions. “ There’s never any silence,” says Mohapatra. “The kids are really engaged.”
At the end of the year, the students will create PowerPoint presentations about which career interested them most. So far, Medha has found that radiology appeals to her. “It’s interesting to be able to see each bone and nerve, plus the empty spaces in the body,” she says.
The program also gives students the opportunity to take on leadership roles. Medha was elected president of the group, and other students became vice president and secretary. “So far, I’ve been sending emails to the group to remind them when the next meeting is,” she says. “I keep everyone organized.”
Other participating students are from Long Branch High School, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, Freehold Township High School, Shore Regional High School and Biotechnology High School. “I hope this program brings the students back to the community as practitioners,” says Mohapatra.
Learn more about the Medical Explorers Program.