Scotland County Hospital Partners with NEMO AHEC for M*A*S*H Camp
Scotland County Hospital (SCH) and Clinics in Memphis hosted M*A*S*H Camp at the hospital in Memphis on July 30-31. Thirty-seven (37) Junior High and High School students from schools in Kirksville, Canton, Clark, Scotland, Schuyler and Knox counties and homeschool students attended. Designed for students curious about the healthcare field, M*A*S*H Camp provides a unique, hands-on learning experience that puts a fun and educational twist on the traditional summer camp model. Campers got the behind-the-scenes look at the hospital environment while learning skills and concepts that can help shape their future career paths.
Tara Shultz, Med Club Coordinator at SCH and M*A*S*H Camp Director said, “When NEMO AHEC executive director, Tonia Schlecht, contacted me to see if SCH was interested in hosting this year’s camp, we were very excited. Our Hospital has a “grow our own” attitude and we are excited to introduce healthcare to area junior high and high school students. Our current outreach includes active SCH Med Clubs in Clark, Knox and Scotland counties. Students from other school districts and home school environments are welcome to participate and job shadow at SCH. Hosting the NEMO M*A*S*H Camp this summer brought our existing mentorship programs full circle. Working with Schlecht and Bailey Quigley (NEMO AHEC Health Education Specialist), alongside our hospital employees and our community last week was a reminder of how important it is to offer healthcare services in our rural community and for these students to return back to our corner of Missouri after they further their healthcare education. Everyone in our community was excited to volunteer and be a part of this year’s camp.”
MASH stands for Medical Academy of Science & Health and the camp ties in with Scotland County Hospital’s broader career initiative to “grow our own.” Shultz works closely with area school career counselors to help students identify and focus their interest on a healthcare career and its requirements through job shadowing, career presentations and visits, high school Med club membership, leadership opportunities, volunteer experiences and paid employment as well.
The camp offered students the opportunity to explore a wide range of healthcare careers through interactive activities and real-world demonstrations led by medical professionals. Campers took in various presentations and panel discussions during M*A*S*H Camp, as well as a tour of the hospital’s facilities. The camp covered teamwork exercises, introduction to first aid and CPR, blood typing, therapy services, healthy snack preparation, basic suturing & dissection, and ground/air ambulance services.
M*A*S*H Camp is a program offered through NEMO Area Health Education Centers (nemoahec.org). Other local partners that were significantly involved in the camp were Scotland County Ambulance District, Scotland County Pharmacy & Apothecafe and Scotland County Health Department.
