NORWICH – For the past 11 years, students from around the county have been given the option to explore the world of medicine, earn college credits and prepare for their future endeavors.
The New Visions Allied Health program at Chenango Memorial Hospital offers the opportunity for qualifying students to work in all areas of medicine, from emergency care to geriatrics to working in the newborn family center and more – students get a chance to learn the ins and outs of the health care profession.
As the medical field advances and requires physicians and other professionals to be more aware of new medical innovations, students entering the field also need to be knowledgeable of new advancements as well.
The 16 students currently enrolled have taken part in a vigorous six months of hands- on training and researching case studies. Students also get the benefit of working on a college level, including a writing a 15-page paper and numerous presentations resulting in being better prepared for college.
Starting in September, the students immediately were introduced to the many different aspects of a hospital situation. Students got to see and work in many areas of the hospital setting and throughout the community.
Teaching the program for 11 years, Joanne Post says the hands-on experience as well as the research and presentations students are required to do all play a part in the goal of preparing the students for a healthcare career.
“Approximately 90 percent of the students attending the New Vision programs here go onto the medical or closely related field,” Post said. “The program serves a wonderful purpose for the students and the parents involved.”
Students got the chance to test the waters Tuesday, as they presented a formal debate for their peers, parents, hospital administrators and community members. Topics chosen by the students to debate were not of a simple nature, nor were they easy to discuss.
The debates chosen were: should birth control continue to be handed out in home school districts to students; should euthanasia be legalized in the United States; and should genetic engineering be legalized in the United States.
In groups of two and three, the students discussed the pros and cons of each matter. Presentations were supported by various visual aids, and each group had to provide research and detailed information in order to prove their point. The chosen arguments are “hot topics” in today’s society and each group got a professional look at what many doctors have to face morally and ethically as they work in medicine.
Each debate lasted up to 45 minutes. First the sides stated their points then had a 5 minute break to discuss the other side’s opposition and create the rebuttal. Final argumentative points were made to the audience, and each group was scored according to the research and speech provided.
Participants in the Allied Health New Visions Program are Jenn Convis, Carrie Halom, Cady Beckwith, Ashley Howard, Kelly Reynolds, Andrew Hayes, Katie Seiler, Tori Lintz, Julie Davis, Emily DeBrita, Kayde Low, Dylan Twang, Nichole McCracken, Kristen Lenning, Shayne Wilcox and Catherine Totten.
The New Visions also offers a half-day environmental program and law and government program for students interested in those professions. Students must fill out applications and go through the interviewing process in order to participate in programming. Students interested should discuss their possibilities with their high school guidance counselor.