2004 MedStars Summer Camp Experience is Fun and Valuable!

AHEC of Southwest Oregon sponsored and sent 10 students to the MedStars Healthcare Careers Camp held in July at the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. Our MedStars students evaluated their camp experience and tell of it in their own words below.

Melissa Ernst: Age 18, Coos County. Interested in becoming a Nurse and/or Physical Therapist. "This camp was like no other. I enjoyed the MedStars experience and meeting other students from around the state. But most of all, the insights I got about other health careers left a lasting impression on me. I have now decided that I will be pursuing two degrees that will possibly lead me to two careers. I will be getting a degree in Nursing and in Physical Therapy. I hope that other students interested in pursuing medical careers will get the chance to go to MedStars."

Shelby Hauntz: Age 18, Coos County. Interested in becoming a Pharmacist. "It was great being around other people who were so excited about health careers. It really made me serious about my own plans for the future."

Danielle DeBose: Age 18, Douglas County. Interested in becoming a Pediatric Nurse. "The high point of the camp experience for me was when we saw the cadaver and when we raised money for the Shriner's Hospital. I enjoyed seeing the cadaver because it was very interesting to see what is inside a human body and what cancer can do to certain organs. I also enjoyed meeting other students with the same career goals as mine. I believe that going to MedStars definitely helped me to decide my career path. After visiting the Shriner's Hospital, I am sure that I want to help less fortunate children around the world."

Katie Farmer: Age 17, Douglas County. Interested in becoming a Director of Nursing. "There wasn't a minute I didn't enjoy. What I most enjoyed about MedStars was the chance to explore different health professions, including the one that I am interested in. It opened my eyes to what kind of health professions there are besides the obvious ones. I liked meeting other students from around Oregon and made some really good friendships. I also had lots of fun on all of the outings."

Jimmy Zhu: Age 16, Douglas County. Interested in becoming a Physician or Cardiologist. "I have missed MedStars since coming back home. This is not a boring camp where you sit around and listen to lectures. MedStars students get to hang out after the day's activities and you can make many close friends because the other students have the same interest as you do in a health career. Having lectures and hands-on experiences with professional healthcare providers allowed us to see many interesting careers that I had not known about. The healthcare providers were very enthusiastic and made learning fun. Lots of the careers we explored were so interesting that some students were reluctant to leave when it was time to move on."

Gabriella Lemus: Age 18, Jackson County. Interested in becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. "The MedStars program was the greatest experience because I got to meet other students and professionals who were interested in the same health topics and career that I am. If you are chosen to go to MedStars in Portland, just go, because it is a beautiful experience."

Nicole Newcomb: Age 16, Jackson County. Interested in becoming a Cardiothoracic Surgeon. "My experience with the MedStars program was quite favorable. Participating in lectures and hands-on experiences was extraordinarily interesting and entertaining. I learned a lot about a wide variety of careers and was given the chance to thoroughly investigate the career I am interested in. I also met quite a few other students interested in similar careers. I believe the program is wonderful and hope that many more young adults are able to savor the same experience."

Brenda Solis: Age 18, Jackson County. Interested in becoming a Physician or Orthopedic Surgeon. "I learned so much at MedStars and got in-depth information about many new types of health careers. Through the lectures and hands-on experiences, I learned more about what I might like to do and what I wouldn't want to do, like be a dentist. All the presenters really seemed to enjoy their jobs and made them sound interesting. This experience has actually made me change my mind about becoming a psychiatrist. I am now going to investigate the field of orthopedic surgery because the surgeons made their work sound really interesting. This was also the first time I've been at a camp where everyone got along and were responsible and respectful. I'd like to go to MedStars camp again because I think there is more I could learn each time. It was a great experience!"

Pamela Stafford: Age 17, Josephine County. Interested in becoming a Pediatrician. "MedStars was a great experience. It made me want to become a Pediatrician more than anything. I would have to say that every speaker was encouraging us to become what we really want to be. I learned a lot about other careers that I had no idea about. I also got to meet new people and am still in touch with at least four of them. I'm really glad I was chosen to go to MedStars because it was lots of fun and I didn't stop learning with all the hands-on activities. I only wish it would have been longer. Thanks MedStars!"

Shaley Shafer: Age 16, Josephine County. Interested in becoming a Physical Therapist or ??. "My MedStars experience was truly remarkable. I met all kinds of new people who shared a common interest in being in the medical field. It was awesome being around other students from all over the State of Oregon, getting to know who they are and learn about what they want to be. Before going to MedStars, I had a set goal of becoming a Physical Therapist, but since then I have explored other medical professions as well."