Northwest Technology Center, Northwestern Oklahoma State University and the Wisdom Foundation partnered again this week to sponsor MASH CAMP II. In MASH CAMP II, students selected a career in the medical field and were matched with a professional in that area. They shadowed that career for an afternoon. Students learned more about legal obligations, HIPPA regulations and worked on a four-year plan of study, along with getting a front seat view of the career which interested them.

According to Daren Slater, Assistant Superintendent on the Alva Campus, “The original participants in MASH Camp 2015 are now headed into high school. They have more specific career goals and we designed this program to help link their career goals to their educational goals. This allows students to see relevance in their educational choices.”

MASH Camp II students participated in job shadowing experiences at Share Medical Center, Ridgeview Veterinary Clinic, Northwest Chiropractic, Holder Drug and Alva EMS. Students were able to shadow healthcare professionals in the following career areas: doctor, nurse, chiropractor, radiologist, phlebotomist, lab technician, pharmacist, veterinarian, EMT and physical therapist.

Northwestern staff members, Dr. Bo Hannaford and Dr. Leslie Collins worked along with Slater to set up the job shadowing locations and coordinate plans for the camp. “This is a great opportunity to build on the experiences that these students had during MASH Camp I and further help students identify a career path.” stated Hanniford.

Students participating included: Hannah Mason and Zachary Wallis of Alva, Leah Ramey of Cleo Springs, Maegan Holson of Waynoka, Caisha Brawley of Fairview, Caden Koehn of Canton and Bridget Wilhite, Julius Luster, Jade Jantzen, Cole Hague and Nicholas Green of Cherokee.

Students started the day with a training on healthcare privacy (HIPPA), Blood Bourne Pathogens (BBP), other healthcare issues and had a presentation on NWTC and NWOSU. After an early lunch, the students were transported to their respective job shadowing locations. The afternoon was spent job shadowing. Students participated in a wrap-up session and dinner in the Ranger Room at NWOSU.