The MedStars program, a summer residential camp held at the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, is for high school students who have demonstrated an active interest in a healthcare occupation. Forty students from Oregon are chosen to participate in the program that includes challenging problem-based learning activities, spending time with health professionals, and working on a health career research project. AHEC of Southwest Oregon is sponsoring nine students and two student counselors to attend the camp from July 14-17, 2004. Following are short student bios:

Coos County

Melissa Ernst: Age 18, Marshfield High School, Coos Bay. "I want to be aRegistered Nurse and then perhaps I'll become aPhysician. I went to the emergency room in the 9th grade and saw health professionals in action, which inspired me to help people this way."

Shelby Hauntz: Age 18, Marshfield High School, Coos Bay. "I want a career that uses science and math skills. I'd like to become aPharmacist because I can work directly with the patient. When I've spoken with pharmacists, they've said they really like their work."

Douglas County

Danielle DeBose: Age 17, Roseburg High School. "I've wanted to go into the medical field my entire life and I'm in a nursing assistant program now. My brother spent the first four years of his life in hospitals and I saw how healthcare workers can make a difference." I want to become aPediatric Nurse.

Katie Farmer: Age 17, Roseburg High School. "When I entered 10th grade, I took a health occupations class and nursing really caught my attention. I would like to become aRegistered Nurse because I'm always willing to help people and to excel in what I do."

Jimmy Zhu: Age 16, Roseburg High School. "When I was a small child I watched Chinese T.V. and became interested in health. I'd like to be aCardiologist orRadiologist, as those are both challenging careers and I like learning about the human body and how it functions."

Jackson County

Gabriela Lemus: Age 18, Phoenix High School, Medford. "I want to be aRegistered Nurse that works with children with disabilities. My daughter has a disability and I've seen how the nurses are helping her. I want a career that helps children and can give us a better life."

Nicole Newcomb: Age 16, Prospect High School. "I wanted to be aCardiothoracic Surgeon since the 6th grade, probably because I had a heart procedure when I was a child. I've researched and have job-shadowed with a surgeon. It is my goal!"

Brenda Solis: Age 17, South Medford High School."I want to be aPrimary Care Physician. I saw doctors in action when my brother was sick. My mom was a nurse in Mexico and told me how much she enjoyed it and since then I've had a dream to study medicine."

Josephine County

Pamela Stafford: Age 17, Illinois Valley High School, Cave Junction. "I want to be aRegistered Nurse orPediatrician. "I'm in a youth healthcare volunteer program in Grants Pass and have 400 hours. I volunteer in the Family Birthing Center right now and I just love babies."

Shaley Shafer: Age 16, Hidden Valley High School. "I am strongly interested in the medical field and want to become aPhysical Therapist. I've always wanted to help people and I am currently a youth volunteer at my community hospital in the Rehab Department."

Student Counselors: Both counselors have previously attended Club M.E.D. and MedStars.

Karen Beadle: Age 16, North Medford High School. "I want to become aFamily Practicitioner because it will allow me to do constant research for the advancement of life. I'm very interested in science because people used to have many illnesses due to ignorance."

Larissa Medina: Age 19, Rogue Community College, Medford. "I plan on becoming aSurgeon. I'm bilingual, due to my Mexican heritage and I want to give back to the Latino community by using my language abilities and personal strengths to help my patients."

If you wish further information on how you can apply for MedStars in the future, contact AHEC at ahec@healthyoregon.com.