During the last two weeks, 15 area high school students participated in MASH.
M*A*S*H, or Medical Applications of Science for Health, is a two-week program that introduces high school students to health related careers. Students selected into the M*A*S*H program shadow five days in a variety of healthcare locations and learn medical terminology. The participants have hands-on activities to learn medical procedures such as heart dissection and suturing. They tour North Arkansas Regional Medical Center and take several local field trips. The group takes part in team building activities throughout the camp and learns about a variety of healthcare careers and education levels needed for those different careers. The program is sponsored by UAMS, Farm Bureau and Delta Dental.
NARMC staff members spoke to the students and led activities. Students were able to get a front-row seat of the medical field. During graduation on Friday, June 28, the students presented a real-life medical scenario to attendees.
The 2019 MASH graduates include Julia Campbell from St. Joe, Alexis Carter from Western Grove, Kaitlyn Coffman from Valley Springs, Jazmine Estes from Valley Springs, McKenzie Holder from Western Grove, Kaya Huebner frrom Lead Hill, Jordan Johnson from Harrison, McKenzie Lewin from Harrison, Stephanie Muncy from Omaha, Grace Robertson from Lead Hill, Elizabeth Sawyer from Lead Hill, Grace Strode from Harrison, Keerthi Vimalraj from Bentonville, Rebecca Witty from Harrison and Hailey Woods from Western Grove.
NARMC is proud to be able to host events like MASH for our community. MASH students are the future of the healthcare field.
One of the MASH facilitators, Jess Graddy, BSN, RN, wrote a poem to sum up this year's program.
MASH 101
Day one we were such a quiet bunch
Sat in silence through PowerPoints all the way to lunch
Saving Annie we practiced counting to 30
Learning to work as a team we were looking mighty “perty”
Day two we arrived notebooks in hand- feeling awful hungry
Blood pressure cuffs and needles flew as our tummies were grumbly
We survived with moments to spare
Piled our plates with bacon, biscuits and gravy not giving much care
Drink your juice, wash your hands- the team said
Hopefully one day that will get out of our head
What kind of dog are you?
Shaggy, short haired or drooling –who knew!
Hairnets around, off to the kitchen we go
Thank goodness for nutrition- our patients do know
For this is what helps them to heal and to grow
Next we met an ER nurse who can start her own IV in the foot
Only a nurse would attempt that when feeling caput
We went on a few tours all over the place
From CCU to First then lab – staff hustled and bustled at such a fast pace
Bunny suits on and botties on tight
Off we go again one last place for the night
So we ended the day fishing for worms but they were sure tasty
OR was never our thing but now maybe, just maybe
Day three off to college on the big white bus
Thank you to the Pioneers who never made a fuss
Oh the errors we found in the simulation
Thank goodness for great patient advocation
Trip hazards and cigarettes to name just a few,
What do we do if our patient turns blue
Some listened to lungs, blood pressure, heart tones- some birthed a baby
This is not for us some thought but others mumbled maybe, just maybe
Returning home to Conference Room A –its finally pizza time
Enjoy said the team, But first wash your hands, stand in line
Our team project was introduced
And our tables we moved
Oh so much to learn so we can present
And hopefully the audience will know what we meant
Just wait and you’ll hear all that we learned
You’re in for a treat
So just stay in your seat
We walked to PARTI- chemo, film and lasers galore
We were humbled to learn of the bravery behind that glass door
Hand swipes were next and what a surprise
We learned very quickly that germs grow before our very eyes
To teach us about intubation
This was next in the education
The surgery department spared two of their best
With the live glide-scope demo -What a courageous guest!
Off to OB where we had quite a shock
When counting contractions we better watch the clock
Peanuts, monitors and dilation till TEN
Good thing it’s women who give birth and not the men
Some of us thought -now this is the key
Yet others thought -oh no way, not for me
Day four we started off on foot
We walked through a trauma rooms to take a quick look
And then to the ambulance bay
Which make some of us say
Now this is for me, this is where I belong
With cool toys like this who could go wrong
Echo’s of hearts and rebuilding muscle
If we are going to get it all in we will need to hustle
Nurses came to see us of all shapes and sizes
They told us a great nurse never compromises
Some had a great view for they flew in the sky
Others gave the gift of knowledge said things like it’s easy as pie, its ok to cry
MRI’s, biopsy’s, CT’s, X-rays were next
Oh how in the world do they keep track of each and every test
Dissection of the heart was the coolest of all
We couldn’t remember the chambers but now we stand tall
Go ahead quiz us and you will too see
What great nurses and doctors we will one day be
Day five was a blast, does the fun never end
Pill containers and yellow vision -grandma just needs a friend
We learned that elderly have troubles unseen
The help that they need might just come from a teen
Candy for breakfast was kept hush-hush
We would tell you more if we weren’t in such a rush
To the pharmacy next where we learned how to shimmy
Surrounded by thousands of bins some large and some skinny
Now this is the stuff, some of us thought, this team is groovy
Others said no way, not for me, let’s catch a movie
Mental health was the next topic on the never ending list
The mind is amazing, dementia, delusions oh what a twist
Safety goggles on and off we go
Engineering put us on quite a show
From top to bottom we saw this whole place
Between boilers and basement there is so much space
Taking the stairs we made a quick line
We will not get stuck on the elevator – this time
Cavities and caries, plaque and decay
Brushing and flossing is the only way
I found it now- one of us said
Others looked on feeling much dread
Let me at those teeth and those gums
Oh no not for me, I may need tums
Wrap up your day with cards and thank yous’
Rest up said the team there’s much left to do
For next week we begin “the crazy week two”
Hang your coats, be on time
Wash your hands, stand in line
Casting, splinting, Needles and pigs feet
Wow, who knew this would be neat
Ultrasound and wound care
So grateful to those who took time to share
Well I’m all out of rhyme
And have no more time
But one last thing we do is just pray
That in the medical field you will be able to say
Yes this is for me, I love helping people too
And education team says your smart- my bet is on you
Not to worry the stories not ending -for there is more
All you have to do is walk right in that door
So no matter what you do if it’s big or it’s small
NARMC is here just give us a call!