High school students from around the state practiced CPR on simulation lab mannequins, measured their bone density, made healthy smoothies, and more as they visited the URI College of Health Sciences Tuesday.
The College hosted 130 high school students for its Healthcare Workforce Transformation Open House. The students had multiple presentations to choose from, including lectures on the opioid crisis, brain function, the role of a pediatrician, working with older adults and the science of exercise. They also took part in hands-on activities around campus, including working on CPR techniques in the advanced simulation labs in the College of Pharmacy’s Avedisian Hall.
It’s all about introducing the students to all the career opportunities available in the health care industry, according to Brian Quilliam, associate dean of Health Sciences.
“The idea is to get them thinking about careers in health and health care,” Quilliam said. “They all know about being a doctor or a nurse, but we also want them to think about a whole host of other health professions, like psychology, physical therapy or kinesiology. We’re trying to give them some tools and resources so they can get a sense of where they might want to focus their efforts toward a career in health care.”
After introductory addresses in the Memorial Union ballroom, the students split up around the union for a series of three lectures of their choosing, before heading back to the ballroom for interactive exhibits. Students donned glasses that simulated what a person suffering from advanced glaucoma sees, and learned the difficulties older adults may have completing otherwise simple tasks like sorting pills. They also sampled health fruit smoothies, measured their body mass index and learned how to stop an opioid overdose using Narcan.
After lunch, the students spread out around campus for hands-on workshops in the nutrition and food science food lab, the “Bod Pod” body mass tester, the Pharmacy Simulation Center, biomechanics, physical therapy and communicative disorders.
Participating high schools included Classical, Mt. Pleasant, Central Falls, Chariho and South Kingstown. This program was supported by funding from the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services Healthcare Workforce Transformation Program.
