James Cook University is bringing its Heroes in Health program to Mount Isa.
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The university will partner with North West Hospital and Health Service to give high school students the unique opportunity to explore careers in nursing, medicine, and allied health.
The two-day program will see 15 students in Year 11 and Year 12 from Mount Isa and the surrounding regions go behind-the-scenes at the Mount Isa Hospital to get first-hand experience of the healthcare industry from practicing professionals.
During the program, students will participate in workshops and speak directly with doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and pharmacists.
First-year JCU Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery student Elvis Jehle participated in the Rockhampton program last year and said the experience helped him to determine his career goals.
"I'm very grateful to JCU for running the program because it was invaluable for me to see and experience what it's like to work in a hospital setting. It was beneficial to see the relationships and interactions between the staff, as well as how versatile the health field really is," he said.
Not only did the program help Mr Jehle make a decision about what he wanted to study, but the experience made him realise that JCU was the place for him to pursue a career in health.
"Being able to talk to JCU medical students allowed me to gain first-hand insight into campus life and what it's like to be a JCU student," he said.
"The program allowed me to meet like-minded people, many of whom have joined me in my field of study now, which meant I had connections and friendships from the very beginning of my degree."
Mr Jehle said the hands-on activities during the program gave him a real sense of a 'day in the life' of a healthcare professional.
"A highlight for me was being able to go into the operating room, wearing the scrubs, and see the sterilisation process of all of the materials. I enjoyed being able to interact with the health workers and hear about their experiences," Mr Jehle said.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
