In early June a few dozen middle school students spent three days on the Missouri State University campus learning about careers in the medical field. The Southwest Missouri Area Health Education Center (or AHEC) is located in Springfield and is hosted by Missouri State University. AHEC and Missouri State sponsored the camp.
Heather Phillips is the Health Programs Coordinator for Southwest Missouri AHEC and she joins me today.
Several Missouri State programs are involved in teaching the kids about different medical fields.
Children from school districts all around, and including, Springfield attended the camp.
I spoke with several of the campers today. Most of them already had an interest in the health field before they came.
Some of the kids said they liked learning specific tasks, like first aid. Other said they camp has helped them decide what area they might want to study in college.
All the kids said they had a great time. Some said they want to be a physical therapist or a nurse and at least one has her sights set on being a doctor.
AHEC is sponsoring MASH camps in Joplin and Monett in July – although the Joplin camp is already full.
For more information, visit the MASH website or call (417) 836-3284.