MAMS students explore hospital careers

Feb. 16—Nearly 20 students from Meadville Area Middle School (MAMS) were transported to the hospital after school earlier this week, and officials are hopeful they will be better prepared for the future as a result.

The students, who all participate in an after-school mentoring program, were exploring non-medical careers at Meadville Medical Center (MMC) on a career-oriented field trip.

"Meadville Medical Center is the ideal place for students to learn about career exploration because of its awarding-winning care in sites that include Meadville, Titusville, Cochranton, Cambridge Springs, Conneaut and Saegertown," said Harrison Dixon, the MAMS teacher who is facilitator of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mentoring Program. "It is the largest employer in Crawford County and a place where many of the students' parents work."

Students spent nearly an hour Tuesday with Heather Frazier, the hospital's human resources director, and leaders from three other departments: Kelsey Shoop from facility environmental services; Dietary Manager Michael Hill; and Don Klippel from facility engineering. The trip was coordinated by Eileen Mullen, program coordinator of Crawford County K-12 Career Education Alliance.

In addition to the many medical and health careers which require a college education and or advanced degrees, there are also many non-medical part- and full-time careers at MMC which require only a high school diploma, according to event organizers.

With those career paths in mind, Klippel discussed the qualification of the 20 people on his team and their certifications. All day, he said, they are looking out for the health and safety of patients and workers as it relates to heating and ventilation systems, technical services and the outside.

Shoop, who supervises a 30-person housekeeping staff, explained their qualifications and how closely they work with staff in charge of discharges to make sure patients are provided with a sanitized room and clean linen. Shoop also stressed the use of ultraviolet lights to make sure the rooms are free of bacteria.

Hill talked to students about how care plans for each patient influence his department's food preparations. As students took notes and asked questions of the presenters, they recognized the varying degrees of education and training needed for various positions. After hearing from the presenters, students toured the facility's giant laundry room before sampling staff-baked cookies in the cafeteria.

The trip was the culmination of previous mentoring program research into MMC, including its mission and locations, the various medical teams and other jobs, awards and accomplishments for both the hospital and its employees, and its status as the top employer in Crawford County.

The program is a partnership between Crawford Central School District, Allegheny College and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fund and receives state funding as a Nita M. Lowey PA 21st Century Community Learning Center. Students in the program can stay after school from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday when school is in session.

This year, 31 students are enrolled for enrichment in science, math and English as well as projects in watershed STEM, physical fitness, sign language, art, workplace skills, chess and coping skills. Parents can enroll their students in the program at any time.

—More information: Call (814) 282-0634 or email armendia.dixon1@gmail.com.