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From left: Lance Glunz, Angela Brichacek and Anne Wang, Joe-Ann Moser (looking into the microscope) in the Center for Human Genetics. |
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Third year medical student, Nick Branting, left, talks with and Ehiamen Okoruwa in the pediatrics clinic. |
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Joel Weisenburger, second from right, explains equipment to the students in the orthopedic research laboratory. |
From July 18 to 20, the students explored science and health care careers, visited UNMC departments and job shadowed with health professionals from UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center. While in Omaha, they learned about scientific research, clinical pathology, patient care and emerging technologies in surgery and orthopedics.
“The whole purpose of the science meet is to introduce middle school students to health care careers in a hands-on, fun environment,” said Roxanna Jokela, director of UNMC’s Rural Health Education Network, which sponsored the visit. “The alumni meet allows us to follow up with our former participants and determine how many are interested in health care professions, and then offer the opportunity to explore their career interests.”
“The students were pretty dazzled by all the technology,” said Ann Kraft, coordinator of the meet, “but what really impressed them was the hospitality of the staff and faculty. It just amazed them that so many people took the time to show them a variety of careers and did it in such a nice way. It really turned them on to the medical center.”
For many students, the experience reaffirmed their career choice. For others, the experience opened their eyes to additional possibilities such as public health or biomedical engineering, Kraft said.
The students who participated were:
Ainsworth
Ainsworth Community School
- Seth Davis, junior
- Keanna Gross, junior
- Gina Imm, junior
- Kyle Klammer, senior
- Brandon Painter, senior
Bladen
Silver Lake High School
- Mark Lutkemeier, junior
Clarkson
Schuyler Central High School
- Angela Brichacek, senior
Grant
Perkins County High School
- Lance Glunz, junior
Lawrence
Blue Hill High School
- Amber Himmelberg
North Platte
St. Patrick’s High School
- Danielle Wieseler, senior
Omaha
Roncalli Catholic High School,
- Conor Barnes, junior
Millard North High School,
- Joe-Ann Moser, junior
- Suresh Pavuluri, junior
- Anne Wang, junior
Marion High School
- Ehiamen Okoruwa, senior
Ord
Ord High School
- Riley Machal, senior
Wallace
Wallace School 65-R
- Ray Bringewatt, senior
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Science meet alumni are from left: front row — Angela Brichacek, Ehiamen Okoruwa, Keanna Gross, Amber Himmelberg, Joe-Ann Moser, Mark Lutkemeier and Anne Wang; Middle row — Danielle Wieseler, Gina Imm, Lance Glunz, Conor Barnes and Riley Machal; back row — Ray Bringewatt, Suresh Pavuluri, Brandon Painter, Seth Davis and Kyle Klammer. |