Local students explore medicine with LECOM's Medical Science Academy

Lake Erie College of Medicine Bradenton's two-week program exposes almost-graduates to medical opportunities.

  • By Jessica Salmond
  • | 8:50 a.m. June 11, 2015
  • East County
  • Neighbors
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From lectures to sheep's lung dissections and clinical shadowing, local high school students are getting a hands-on approach to potential medical careers through LECOM Bradenton's (Lake Erie College of Medicine) Medical Science Academy. 

Forty-seven students from 20 different high schools in six different counties are participating in the two-week program. These juniors and seniors get to explore more about science in medicine and network with both LECOM students and professors. LECOM has also teamed up with local physicians and hospitals for more field experiences. 

The program has been offered since 2008; Kersten Schroeder, an assistant professor in biochemistry and the director of community outreach for LECOM, has been in charge since 2013. 

"Seeing the high schoolers realize they know a lot more than they do, and seeing them apply that, I think that's my favorite part," Schroeder said. 

For Tristin Roberts, a Venice High School junior, the program is an opportunity to learn more about a potential career path into a subject he enjoys — science.

"I love science, and medicine is science, so why not make money and also save lives?" Roberts said. 

Jacob Howard, a LECOM student, explains some x-rays to high school participants.
Jacob Howard, a LECOM student, explains some x-rays to high school participants.
Melissa Beljan, a LECOM student, talks to students about body processes.
Melissa Beljan, a LECOM student, talks to students about body processes.
Mark Johnson, a LECOM student, tests out the high altitude training mask.
Mark Johnson, a LECOM student, tests out the high altitude training mask.
Tea Binder, Pine View School junior, Josh Johnson, LECOM student, and Kersten Schroeder, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, work on some lung-measuring software.
Tea Binder, Pine View School junior, Josh Johnson, LECOM student, and Kersten Schroeder, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, work on some lung-measuring software.
Caleb Streitmatter, Riverview High School junior, and Hunter Hampton, Pine View School senior, dig into a sheep's heart.
Caleb Streitmatter, Riverview High School junior, and Hunter Hampton, Pine View School senior, dig into a sheep's heart.
Kara Delaney, Pine View School junior, proudly displays her
Kara Delaney, Pine View School junior, proudly displays her "broken" sheep's heart.
LECOM students Kelli Fox, Lauren Solomon and Jacob Howard quiz each other on the x-ray slides.
LECOM students Kelli Fox, Lauren Solomon and Jacob Howard quiz each other on the x-ray slides.
Anjali Sharma, a Pine View School junior, tests her lung strength.
Anjali Sharma, a Pine View School junior, tests her lung strength.
David Ragbeer, a LECOM student, explains lung functions.
David Ragbeer, a LECOM student, explains lung functions.
Samantha Gallahan, Pine View School junior, tests her lung skills to see how far she can shoot a stick through a straw.
Samantha Gallahan, Pine View School junior, tests her lung skills to see how far she can shoot a stick through a straw.
Tea Binder and Samantha Gallahan, Pine View School juniors, measure their breathing with the help of Josh Johnson, a LECOM student.
Tea Binder and Samantha Gallahan, Pine View School juniors, measure their breathing with the help of Josh Johnson, a LECOM student.
Daziah Scurry, a junior at Manatee School for the Arts, examines a simplified lung model.
Daziah Scurry, a junior at Manatee School for the Arts, examines a simplified lung model.
High school students dissect a sheep's heart.
High school students dissect a sheep's heart.

 

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