 Campers learn science'Scrubs' program introduces medicine By Staff report
The Post and Courier
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Anna Harmon/Staff The Scrubs "green group" poses for a shot. These students are from various schools around Charleston County. Left to right: back row, Heather Lindsey, Jasmine Richards, India McRae, Taylor Busch, Kayla Staley; front row, Laiya Alexandre, Ebony Fields. 
Anna Harmon/Staff Scrubs campers Taylor Busch (left) and India McRae examine a cardiac stent, a tube that is inserted into a narrowed coronary artery to keep it open. 
Anna Harmon/Staff Heather Lindsey, a Scrubs camper, is lifted in the 'Tempo,' a piece of equipment used to move dependent patients from one place to the next without putting any stress on them or the nurses. 
Roper St. Francis Healthcare ROPER ST. FRANCIS HEALTHCARE All 44 Roper-St. Francis Scrubs campers wave to the camera after a trip to Trident Tech. Who wouldn't want to watch a simulation of the new, high-tech CyberKnife? It uses high beam radiation to attack inoperable tumors. And all in the name of science. That's what a group of high school students did last week as part of Roper St. Francis Healthcare's Scrubs program. The camp wasn't just for fun — applicants already considering a career in medicine had to submit a 300-word essay and be recommended by teachers. The Charleston County students, ages 13 to 15, paid $50 to become Scrubs campers at Roper or St. Francis hospitals. They were students on mission, in bright red shirts. Twenty of the 44 students were sent to Roper to observe radiology, LifeLink emergency services and the joint replacement unit. They also shadowed the "wound nurse." While some girls might squeal at this job, or even the word "dissection," the seven girls of the green group, one of three that campers were divided into, barely batted an eyelash. The girls can handle a bit of blood and guts; they said they hope to be neurologists, surgeons and pediatricians. The entire hospital is involved in Scrubs, said Cathy Kenner, clinical nurse manager with Roper St. Francis Healthcare. "The nurses love it," she said. "These kids are excited ... They're hungry, they want everything you can give them." Roper St. Francis helps students explore this passion, in part, "to grow their own nurses and doctors," Kenner said. With an already critical shortage of nurses, a homegrown crop of medical practitioners can come in handy, she said. To continue their interest in medicine, Scrubs campers can go on to Scrubs University, which holds monthly classes, and Scrubs Mentoring, which allows students to shadow nurses and work on the floor. Reach Anna Harmon at 937-5502 or aharmon@postandcourier.com Copyright © 1997 - 2007 the Evening Post Publishing Co. |