May 15, 2009
Pharmacist Allen Miller explains to students Keanu King, Shane Hare, Patrick Raphael, Nevada Ahio and Keri Albrite how the Pharmacy operation works.
Sixth Graders get a glimpse of health care career choices
by Barbara Liu, Career Pathway Coordinator
Sixth graders from Bethel toured Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation Therapeutic and Diagnostic Services on May 1. Eighty-four boys and girls from Ayaprun and Kilbuck schools toured in groups, walking between the hospital and the Community Health Services Building on a beautiful day.
Tour guides Karen McIntyre, Antonio Avalos, Mae Engler, Tony Vaska and Barbara Liu led each group along with their chaperones. The groups went to Emergency Room, Diagnostic Imaging, Pharmacy, Dental, and Optometry. Nine to 10 students rotated through the departments with Katie Ellsworth and Nicolette Nick presenting at Emergency Room, Allen Miller at Pharmacy, Ronnie Fitzpatrick and Brent Lautenschlager at Diagnostic Imaging, Troy Wiscombe at Dental and Pamela Conrad at Optometry.
YKHC is happy to sponsor student tours because this is one way to provide incentive for students to stay in school and pursue health science careers. Once that is accomplished, YKHC is always a choice of employment for any student with the desire to serve the people of Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.
After the tour, this is what a few students wrote:
"I didn't know YKHC had so many interesting places. I will be a nurse when I am older. I like helping people." --Maryanna Jimmie, Ayaprun Elitnaurvik
"At the optometry station, I learned that looking in the back of your eye could tell if you have done drugs, if you have high cholesterol, and if you are diabetic. At the X-ray station, I learned that you have to wear a lead body suit around the area you are taking an X-ray at because it could get radiation. At the pharmacy, I learned you could make a LOT of money. I also learned that as technology advances that a robot will do the pill sorting and filling." --Ruby Shantz, Kilbuck
"I loved visiting the pharmacy. I will become a pharmacist after I go to school. I want to work with the robot." -- -David John, Ayaprun Elitnaurvik
"I thought that the x-ray room was the best. I liked it the best because I really enjoyed looking at the x-rays of the broken bones. It was the best part of the whole trip. --Rebecca Strickland, Kilbuck
YKHC-AHEC (Area Health Education Center) promotes health science awareness to students. Bethel High School Biology class recently toured the hospital and another Biology class is planning a tour in May. Summer enrichment Talent Search classes will also make YKHC one stop to learn something about healthcare.
For student tour requests, please contact in advance YK-AHEC at 543-6986.
