Wright State University and Premier Health – Nursing and Health Careers Camp teaches high school students about healthcare careers

Almost 50 high school students from around the country learned lifesaving skills and explored careers in healthcare during Wright State University and Premier Health’s Nursing and Health Careers Camp.

Wright State hosted the camp, from July 16-18, for rising junior and senior high school students.

“I’ve always been interested in healthcare, but I wasn’t really sure with what I wanted to do so I thought this would be a good outlet,” said Kalyn Thobe, a senior at Marian Local High School.

The first two days of the camp took place at Wright State, where students received training in HeartSaver CPR, AED use, “Stop the Bleed” and recovery-position techniques. Participants worked through a patient care simulation, using Wright State’s state-of-the-art mannequins, which can speak, simulate breathing and mimic heart sounds and pulses to provide realistic training scenarios.

“They’re able to get hands-on work with our actually faculty,” said Kristina Kontos, a junior nursing student at Wright State who assisted with the camp.

Campers also learned more about becoming a Raider and met with current students in Wright State’s healthcare programs.

The third day of the camp took place at Premier Health’s Miami Valley Hospital, where students toured the campus and attended seminars on social work, home health nursing and other healthcare career opportunities.

“They have an opportunity now with the experience that they’ve learned here to maybe save a life one day,” said Kontos.