Fourth-grade students from Holy Name Elementary School entered the Davis Global Center on Jan. 13, the display rotating human organs, heart, lungs and more in the atrium’s three-story screen prompted a chorus of “ooohs” and “aaahs” from the youngsters.
The student’s excitement continued in the holographic theater, where a 3-dimensional recording of University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, welcomed them all to campus.
The group was visiting UNMC as the culmination of “Mini Medical School.” The event built on two prior classroom lessons at Holy Name, led by UNMC medical student Riley Kilzer and his peers, on the circulatory and respiratory systems.
Sponsored by the UNMC College of Medicine, Office of Strategic Initiatives and Division of Medical Pathway Initiatives, the Mini Medical School experience included hands-on rotations coordinated by the iEXCEL team, featuring simulation technology that included an auscultation skills activity — practicing stethoscope placement and learning the difference between normal and abnormal heartbeat sounds.
Students also participated in interactive learning with the UNMC Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, exploring ultrasound imaging of joints and microscopic views of knee tissue affected by disease.
Medical students from Recruit, Encourage, and Advance Careers in Healthcare (REACH) and Students for Mentorship and Resourceful Teaching (SMART) helped coordinate logistics and volunteered throughout the visit.
“I had inspirational role models who showed me how awesome a healthcare career could be,” said medical student volunteer Jack Paradis. “This was an awesome way for me to share my love for science with the next generation.”
Holy Name teacher Deborah O’Malley observed a noticeable impact on her students.
“Many of my fourth graders do not initially see careers in science or medicine as possibilities for themselves,” she said. “Seeing medical students and doctors, using real medical tools and participating in authentic learning experiences helps students realize these careers are achievable and relevant to their own lives.”
“The UNMC staff, faculty and student participation made a big difference in how successful the event was,” said Liliana Bronner, PhD, assistant dean of medical pathway initiatives. “Although this was a pilot test visit in engaging students this age, I hope we can spark interest in the college to continue more early medical career exposure for students across our Omaha metro area.”
Get Involved
As planning begins for the 2026–2027 academic year, the College of Medicine invites departments, divisions and individuals to participate in Our University Team Recruiting, Encouraging, and Advancing Careers in Healthcare (OUTREACH), a growing initiative from the UNMC Division of Medical Pathway Initiatives that connects UNMC faculty and staff with meaningful opportunities to engage students from local schools through campus visits, classroom activities and health-career exploration events.
Participation can be flexible and scalable, ranging from short demonstrations or hands-on activities to student panels and interactive learning experiences. Some support is available to help departments identify age-appropriate activities and coordinate logistics.
Departments, divisions or individuals interested in future outreach opportunities during the 2026–2027 academic year are encouraged to complete the OUTREACH Interest Survey to share their interests, capacity and preferred level of involvement.
“Your involvement, no matter the size, can help spark curiosity, build confidence, and open doors for the next generation of health professionals,” Dr. Bronner said.
