University of Nebraska Regent Tim Clare learned basic suturing techniques – and tied his own surgeon’s knot, even if it was on a banana. He also gave an intradermal saline injection – into a piece of chicken.
Clare got a first-hand look at UNMC, gained a little hands-on experience and heard a medical student’s perspective on her path to UNMC during a visit to the Omaha campus on May 21.
On a visit with Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, Clare heard about UNMC’s Rural Health Opportunities Program and the UNMC High School Alliance.
The two programs are creating pathways for students to gain experience in the health sciences, connect them to UNMC and, ultimately, train some of them into medical professionals.
Clare and Dr. Davies met with Kelli Schneegass, rural health specialist for UNMC Rural Health Initiatives, and Heidi Kaschke, program director for the High School Alliance.
The group discussed the program with Creighton Herrington, a first-year medical student from Loup City, Nebraska, who is an alum of the Rural Health Opportunities Program.
Herrington emphasized the importance of mentorship programs. She said the RHOP program shows students that, if they have a desire and are willing to do the work, a health career is a possibility.
She told Clare that in high school, she was thinking of going into nursing like her mother. But the RHOP program showed her a way to go to medical school.
The program works with Chadron State College – where Herrington got her undergraduate education – Wayne State College and Peru State College. Students get their undergraduate degree and guaranteed admission to UNMC, with the goal that they practice as professionals in rural Nebraska.
Clare told Herrington she’s remarkable.
“Because of what you’re doing, you’re going to make Nebraska better,” he said.
Later in the High School Alliance Lab, Clare and Dr. Davies donned lab coats and gloves to join an exercise with eight alliance students who attend high schools across the Omaha metro area.
The students, regent included, learned about the basics of injections. Central High student Cecilia Taylor walked the classroom guests through the exercise to inject saline into a grocery store chicken breast.
Then Millard West High student Thea Dinan, who has aspirations of becoming a surgeon, helped the guests suture a banana.
Clare said the program is amazing – giving high school students an opportunity to learn about health care with real-world type scenarios and hands-on experience.
“It’s extraordinarily important for our state to provide top quality health care,” Clare said. “I think these are going to be the next health care leaders in our state.”
Clare also toured the Innovation Design Unit.
“People are coming to see our physicians, to see our research, to see what we’re doing here at UNMC,” he said. “It’s truly a national and international leader.”
Regent Clare is correct. Creighton Harrington is remarkable!