My name is Reagan Weiland. I have been a student at Oakridge since I was in pre-school and I have really grown to love my small community. I have worked so hard the last four years of high school and I am so excited to start the next phase of my life; the Lane Healthcare Pathways grant has made this dream a reality.

I would like to be a surgeon. Participating in a surgery would be a thrill. Not the kind of thrill that skydiving would give you, but the kind of thrill you receive from changing a person’s life.  For some procedures, the surgeon literally holds the patient’s life in their hands. I am hoping that I get to observe an operation when I go to MedQuest this summer. This is a week-long medical camp that is being offered at Eastern Oregon University for which I will receive college credit, and I have received a full scholarship to attend.

I haven’t always planned on entering the medical field. When I was in the fifth grade, I wanted to be a storm chaser, because I watched the movie Twister and found it inspiring. Needless to say, I have moved past that phase. What really sparked my interest in the medical field was actually my own medical problems. In the fifth grade I was diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter’s disease, which is a disease in the bones usually caused by growing too fast. This slowed me down a little but I didn’t let it limit me or all the stuff I wanted to do. Then in junior high I got infectious mononucleosis. As if that wasn’t enough,I then had a severe reaction from it that caused hard painful nodules to form in the tissue in my legs and arms. This totally took my legs out of commission for about two months; I will never take walking for granted again. Then my freshman year I tore some tissue in my already bad knee and had to have corrective surgery. Then sophomore year I tore up my shoulder and had months of physical therapy. And last year I had an autoimmune disease that caused my joints to lock up and paralysis in my hands; obviously this affected everything I did, including school work, another thing I will never take for granted. Clearly I have had a rough go at things, but I have had many different medical teams backing me up and getting me back to as good as new. I want nothing more than to return the favor. It is my turn to help someone and make a difference in their life.

Last year when I heard a presentation about the opportunity to get to do a number of medical related things for free, I thought why not. This year I was chosen to receive a scholarship to attend Emergency Medical Responder training. I had so much fun, and I realized that the medical field is where I belong. I now use those skills as a volunteer firefighter and EMS personnel with my local fire department. Through the fire department I also went through my Emergency Vehicle Operations Course, so once my 90-day probation is over I will get to drive the ambulance and respond to calls.  I was also very excited to get to take Anatomy and Physiology, and Medical Terminology College Now courses this year, meaning I will get college credit from them. My Spanish 5 class is also a College Now course this year. I just finished the Administrative Medical Office Procedure program and I am also currently taking Lane’s Phlebotomy 1 course; as well as the RTEC Program, a college and career preparation course. The RTEC Program is going to pay for me to take a couple of classes this summer. I am hoping to be able to participate in a Co-op. By doing so I would get to work at a local clinic where I have done many job shadows to get more work experience and college credit.

This summer I am going to finish my Phlebotomy 2 course and get my certificate. I would also like to try to go through basic EMT training at Lane as well. I plan to enroll at Concorde Career College and go through the Surgical Technician program. While I go through school I would like to work as a phlebotomist and/or an EMT. Once I have worked for a year I would like to take the National Board Examination so that I will be licensed to work as a phlebotomist anywhere in the country. Concorde Career College works directly with Riverbend Hospital, so that is a good chance I would at least do on the job training there. Once I am working in surgery, I may realize that I want to specialize in a specific surgery or want to work my way up to be the head surgeon, the possibilities are endless! The medical field isn’t just my calling, it has chosen me.

The Area Health Education Center of Southwest Oregon (AHECSW) is proud to feature some of the incredible student projects that were completed this year by our AHECSW High School Healthcare Interns and our two local chapters for the Bright Works Oregon Healthcare Team. AHECSW has a chapter that has been established in Roseburg at the Roseburg YMCA and a Winston chapter that has been established at South River Community Health Center. These projects were student designed and implemented, and required the support of many of our local community partners that are also invested in the future health of their community. 

The AHECSW High School Interns implemented a project at Fir Grove Elementary and Lookingglass Elementary to encourage 3rd and 4th grade students to increase their physical activity and make healthier choices. Quinlan Morrow, one of the interns, wrote an article about the project and submitted it to the News Review. Follow this link to learn more about what they did: AHECSW Internship Project 2014-15

The Bright Works Oregon Roseburg Chapter wanted to raise awareness around community health resources in Douglas County. They are putting on a "Healthy Market and Community Scavenger Hunt" on May 30 and they also created this video: Bright Works Oregon Roseburg Chapter Video 2014-15. The students in this program wrote the script, helped direct, and acted in their video. They were also able to raise $1750.00 in sponsorships to put on their event and they recruited community partners to participate. 

The Bright Works Oregon Winston Chapter wanted to increase use and encourage improvements in their community for outdoor recreation to increase access to locations within their community for physical activity. They are still recruiting community partners, have approached the local parks board, and are working closely with South River Community Health Center to help move their project forward. They have plans to do a clean up date tentatively scheduled on July 10 and plan to assist the Douglas County Public Health Department in a project that will raise awareness around tobacco use and impacts. They have almost completed their video and plan to add more local partners to their project. The current version of their video can be accessed here: Bright Works Oregon Winston Chapter Video 2014-15

AHECSW is amazed at the strong work ethic and the accomplishments of the youth in our Douglas County programs for the 2014-15 year. We would like to recognize the partners that have helped provide resources, information, and support: 

Internship and Bright Works Oregon Project Partners:

ATRIO
Architrave
Mercy Medical Center
Cow Creek
South River Community Health Center
Douglas County Public Health
Douglas County Partners for Student Success (DCPSS) & Umpqua Valley Regional STEAM Hub (UVRST)
Roseburg YMCA
Westside Community Garden of Roseburg & Umpqua Valley Disabilities Network
Umpqua Community Veg Education Group
Bike Walk Roseburg
Umpqua Valley Farmer's Market
Mercy Institute of Rehabilitation
Mercy Foundation Health Kids Outreach Program
Fire District No. 2
City of Roseburg Fire Department
Lookingglass Fire Department
FSC Crossfit

Recently Area Health Education Center of Southwest Oregon (AHECSW) selected three outstanding students from Douglas County to travel to Salem, OR to talk to Representatives and Senators about their experiences in the AHECSW programs. The students that were selected were able to join students from all over the state from other Oregon AHECs that were also there to share their experiences and show their appreciation for the support that AHECs receive from the state. 

The students selected this year were participants in the Bright Works Oregon High School Healthcare Internship Program and also served as leaders on other AHECSW program projects. Congratulations to: Benjamyn Seamans, Grade 12, Umpqua Valley Christian School, Quinlan Morrow, Grade 12, Roseburg High School, and Synthany Woodley, Grade 12, Glendale High School! You did a wonderful job sharing our story and your personal experience. 

AHECSW held Diagnosis Day- Trauma Day 2015 at Mercy Medical Center on April 11, 2015. This was a Douglas County STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics) hub activity supported by the Douglas County Partners for Student Success (visit www.dcpss.org to learn more about other STEAM activities). Twenty-eight (28) students attended with representation from Camas Valley Charter School, Douglas High School, Glide High School, North Douglas High School, Oakland High School, Roseburg High School, and Umpqua Valley Christian School. With presentations from  ten (10) local healthcare professionals that volunteered their time to educate students on healthcare careers. We also had support from five (5) nursing students from Umpqua Community College and one (1) pre-med student, a recent graduate from Oregon State University, that came to mentor and support our youth and discuss their college experience. 

Students arrived on the scene! They found their accident victim (actor) and had guidance from Fire District 2 paramedics, Richard Lounsbury and Nolan McGinnis, and REACH flight paramedic, Keith Neff. 

Then our students were taken through the Emergency Department at Mercy Medical Center with Dr. Jennifer Bodenhamer, DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) and Sarah Malhberg, RN (Registered Nurse), where they discussed what would happen to the patient upon arrival and what the potential injuries and treatment would be. 

Next students were able to get behind the scenes in Mercy Medical Center's Operating Rooms and gain hands-on experience suturing pigs feet with the guidance of Dr. Heidi Beery, MD (Medical Doctor) and Morgan Petersen, FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) from Evergreen Family Medicine. 

Then students ventured up to the lab at Mercy Medical Center and worked with Jacque Jones, MT (Medical Technologist) and Jean Walker from the Lane County Blood Bank to learn about how to type their blood and the importance of donating blood. 

The day wrapped up with a phenomenal presentation from Dr. Claire Stone, MD (Medical Doctor) from Mercy's lab presenting information on the requirements for schooling, a final panel with all of our professionals answering student questions, and all of the pre-health professional students discussing what going through school was like for them and what they wish they had known before entering their pre-health professional programs. 

We would like to thank everyone that was involved in making this day such a wonderful success. We had a dedicated planning committee, excellent healthcare professionals volunteering, wonderful community support, support from our local schools and educators, and support from the students in our program that also gave some time to volunteer for the event. 

We would like to acknowledge the following organizations and businesses for their support: 

Mercy Medical Center

Fire District 2

Evergreen Family Medicine

REACH Air Medical

Douglas County Partners for Student Success and the Umpqua Valley Regional STEAM hub

Crystal Creek Meats

Umpqua Community College's Nursing Program

Bright Works Oregon Healthcare Team

Healthcare Professionals: 

Heidi Beery, MD

Jennifer Bodenhamer, DO

Claire Stone, MD

Morgan Petersen, NP

Sarah Mahlberg, RN

Keith Neff, Flight Paramedic

Richard Lounsbury, Paramedic 

Nolan McGinnis, Paramedic

Jacque Jones, MT

Jean Walker, Lane County Blood Bank

Pre-Health Professional Students:

Natasha Kress

Sierra Smith

Hannah Harris

Keeley Hackett

Kayla Winston

Student Leaders and Actors:

Alyssa Longoria

Ben Seamans

Bodhi Looney

Christine Pons

Dylan Smith

Eli Cox

James Gugel

Maggie Cortez

Quinlan Morrow

Diagnosis Day Planning Committee Members:

Heidi Beery, MD, Evergreen Family Medicine

Ana Brar, Mercy Pharmacy Tech

Randy Chase, Community Volunteer/Retired Teacher

AJ Chitwood, Mercy Security

Michelle Kronner, Mercy Volunteer Director

Jennifer Ranger, Mercy Volunteer Department Assistant

Keith Neff, REACH flight paramedic

Lesa-Beth Titus, RN, Mercy Emergency Department

Katrina Sansom, Mercy Medical Center Billing

Rose Zoellner, AHECSW Program Director

AHECSW appreciates you!

During the last eight weeks, I had the opportunity to intern in Mercy’s emergency room. Each day, I headed to the ER happily anticipating what was to come. I was never disappointed. I was always treated with respect by the patients and staff, and I always had a good time. There was always something new for me to learn, something new for me to see. None of my questions went unanswered and each of the staff I worked with was eager to share their experiences with me.              

This fall I took Northeast Oregon Area Health Education Center's (NEOAHEC) Future Health Professionals of Oregon (FHPO) college level class offered through Eastern Oregon University and AHECSW.  One of the class assignments was to do a job shadow for 12 hours in the career field of my choice.   I started by spending an entire day job shadowing Scott McEachern, the Executive Director of The Southern Coos Health Foundation.   He did a great job in explaining about his role between the hospital and the Foundation and then was able to take me to several meetings that he had scheduled for the day so that I could really get an idea of what his job entailed.  We first met with the CFO of Southern Coos Hospital who also oversees the Foundation’s finances.  The second meeting I got to sit in on was the leadership team meeting where the entire team gets together to discuss new things that are going on in their departments.  For the afternoon, I got to help research grants for the Foundation.  I learned that the main role of the Foundation was to bring money to the hospital, so grants are very important to them.  The next time I job shadowed, I was able to shadow most of the other hospital directors to better understand the differences of each position.  I found out that the Director of Nursing Services takes care of the nurses in the hospital, the Chief Financial Officer handles all of the money and works close with all of the accountants that work with the hospital, and that the CEO handles all personnel not in scrubs, as well as the hospital in general.  Mainly I learned that although each job is completely different from each other, they all come together to keep the hospital working efficiently.  An important thing that I learned from my time was that the healthcare is one of the best fields that anyone can go into since medical care is such a major part of everyone’s life.  There are so many job options to go into that you can easily do what you are passionate about, but that at the end of the day, everyone you work with has the same goal: to help everyone that comes into the hospital. 

For me personally, shadowing the different directors not only helped to shape my career goal, but also showed me many different paths available to me within my dream job of becoming a hospital CEO.  For example, the Director of Operations is currently in school, working her way to trying to become the CEO in the future and is able to fill in for the CEO when he is out.  I also learned that some of the other directors had worked as nurses before becoming part of the leadership team.  Learning that there are multiple paths to becoming the CEO was possibly the most important thing that I learned while shadowing. 

I also learned that there are several pros and cons of working in a rural vs. urban setting.  Getting to see firsthand how a rural hospital runs by not only getting to shadow but also growing up in a rural setting, I have decided that working in a rural hospital is at the top of my career goals.  I would love to someday be able to come back to Bandon and become the CEO of the hospital here.  I am very excited to see how well I succeed in this goal.  I really feel like job shadowing has opened my eyes and mind about the health care field and the many different job opportunities it has for me.         

New learning opportunities have been happening for Coos County students in the form of monthly meetings for the teen volunteers at Bay Area Hospital and in the Bandon area and they are quickly becoming a huge hit with great attendance, although one student from the first meeting decided that "we need to get a lot more people involved!!”

In November, students attended a meeting at Bandon High School where they learned about the Medical Imaging Department and different imaging specialties at Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center from Imaging Manager Bill Taylor, R.T. (R) ARRT. They also participated in an activity that helped them learn about lung capacity and things that might impede it, as well as learned about some of the different programs and possibilities offered in the area. One student commented that the meeting “was very well put together, on time, and fun.”

January saw more student volunteers at Bay Area Hospital learning about keeping healthy with germ warfare and identifying different HIPPA violations. With heart health month coming up in February, students were introduced to Dr. Seth Giri, of the Cardiology Department at Bay Area Hospital, who shared a wealth of information not only about heart health, but also about his path to becoming a Cardiologist and some of his other accomplishments. Marshfield Student Brett Wyatt described the presentation as “thoughtful and very intriguing, insightful and complete…kinda touched upon some areas that you usually don’t get to hear from a doctor.”