High school students, from left, Taylor Thomas, Stephanie Sermonet, Anne Laverty and Jessica Smith learn CPR techniques while taking part in the Young Scholars Medical Program. (photo by Susan Urmy)
Program gives teens sneak preview of medical career
High school juniors and seniors rarely get the chance to watch open-heart surgery or spend the day with LifeFlight, but this summer Vanderbilt University Medical Center is giving them the opportunity to do that and more.
The Young Scholars Medical Program (YSMP) is a four-week, experiential program designed to showcase VUMC's team approach to medicine — teaching, research, clinical services, rehabilitation, prevention, biomedical technology, informatics and engineering.
The program's “wow” experiences give students insight into VUMC innovation and leadership.
Experiences such as participating in lab rotations and learning how to dress an open wound show students where education can take them, and gives them the opportunity to meet some of the nation's top physicians, researchers, nurses and professors.
“I believe this program will prove to be both a challenging and rewarding experience that will not only educate [the students] regarding the many options available for professional growth, but will provide them with friends and contacts who will serve them well over a lifetime,” said Beth Ann Sastre, M.D., the program's Physician Leader.
Eleven student leaders from seven local high schools were selected to participate in the inaugural year. They have the distinction of serving on the student curriculum design team.
Graduating Aug. 3, the students complete weekly journal entries and online program evaluations.
They are also responsible for designing ways to incorporate what they learn into their school curriculums, as well as presenting their experiences to other schools.
The 2007 YSMP students are: Anne Laverty and Jessica Smith of Battle Ground Academy; Stephanie Sermonet of Brentwood Academy; Will Netterville and Taylor Thomas of Ensworth High School; Alex Seamens of Franklin High School; Ashley Whitten of Franklin Road Academy; Taylor Cox and Mehrin Jawaid of Harpeth Hall; and Chad Augusty and Michael Moore of Montgomery Bell Academy.