Mississippi Hospital Association and Mississippi Area Health Education Center Hold Second Annual Health Careers Awareness Camp

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JACKSON (July 6, 2006) - The Mississippi Hospital Association Health Careers Center in partnership with the Mississippi Area Health Education Center (AHEC) hosted the second annual Health Careers Awareness Camp on June 5-9th at the Jackson Medical Mall. The Health Careers Awareness Camp was a five-day summer enrichment program designed to provide high school junior and senior students with an educational experience that builds awareness and interest in health careers through a partnership of health care employers, health care practitioners and educators. 

 

Sixteen students throughout the Jackson Metropolitan Area attended the second annual event, including: Trevida Coney, Wingfield High School; Nicole Harrell, East Rankin Academy; Tyrah Hickman, Clinton High School; MicKea Hodges, Terry High School; Brittany Housley, Richland High School; Monique Jackson, Bailey Magnet High School; Turquoya Jones, Murrah High School; Ashley Martin, Bailey Magnet High School; Siedah McNair, Pelahatchie Attendance Center; Anisha Patel, Richland High School; Hope Rankins, Clinton High School; Joy Rankins, Clinton High School; Martha Taplin, Bailey Magnet High School; Chas Walker, Murrah High School; Danielle Wells, Callaway High School and Kristopher Yarbrough of Forest Hill High School.

 

Each day’s activities included speakers and presenters from different fields of employment within the health care environment. The camp covered careers ranging from nurses and physicians to dentists, pharmacists, and more. This experience provided students with an opportunity to gain awareness in career fields that they might otherwise be unknowledgeable.

 

The camp agenda included a chance for the students to visit the UMC School of Health Related Professions and the Hinds Community College Nursing/Allied Health Center.  Each student also spent time in hospital environments where they shadowed health care employees.  Participating hospitals included: Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center, River Oaks Hospital, St. Dominic- Jackson Memorial Hospital and University of Mississippi Medical Center.  In conclusion to the week’s activities, students were divided into groups to prepare and present oral presentations to an audience of students, Health Careers Center staff, family members, and a panel of judges.

 

For pictures of the camp activities, please click here. If you are interested in learning more about The Health Careers Awareness Camp, please contact Melissa Brewer at 982-3251.

 

CONTACT: Melissa Brewer, Communications Coordinator

                 Mississippi Hospital Association

                 Phone: (601) 368-3235

                 mbrewer@mhanet.org
 

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About MHA Health Career Center:

The MHA Health Careers Center was created by the Mississippi Hospital Association in response to the shortages in nursing and allied health careers. These shortages are threatening the delivery of timely and quality healthcare in Mississippi and must be addressed. The Center provides resources for individuals interested in health careers and to hospitals for employee recruitment and retention.

The MHA Health Careers Center is focused on being the primary resource for students, educators, job seekers and healthcare employers interested in health care information and occupations in Mississippi. By forming partnerships with educational institutions, healthcare employers and healthcare professional organizations, we are working to ensure that the medical needs of all Mississippians are cared for by a sufficient number of well-trained professionals.