NEWPORT — A group of fifth graders at Newport City Elementary School had some hands-on experience in North Country Hospital’s Education Department.
The students were able to practice procedures for donning and doffing, sterile glove application, as well as touring through various clinical departments throughout the hospital.
North Country Hospital is able to host students each year through MedTrek, a 10-week afterschool health careers exploration program for middle school aged youth.
It was developed by Vermont Afterschool, in partnership with Northern Vermont Area Health Education Center and the UVM Larner College of Medicine AHEC Program.
This program features field trips to healthcare facilities in the local community and presentations by practicing health professionals.
Students in the program also engage in hands-on activities that relate to the health profession they are exploring each week.
High school students and undergraduates in health and science majors provide mentorship and teaching to support youth in hands-on activities.
In Newport, the program includes mentors from the North Country Career Center Health Science program.
Each session features tools and technology that make work in health care exciting, and stories are shared to inspire youth to consider a future healthcare career.
