Austin Underwood never gave up as he performed CPR to resuscitate his patient at St. Vincent’s.
Fortunately for the eighth-grader from St. Joseph’s School in Fremont, it was just a simulation he participated in during Mercy College’s Camp Scrubs from June 11-14.
Underwood was one of about 30 sixth- through ninth-graders who participated in the camp aimed at students interested in health care careers.
Jen Skeldon, program developer at Mercy College, said students see “all sides” of the hospital, from the emergency room to mechanical rooms.
“Hospitals are like little cities,” Skeldon said. “It takes a whole bunch of people to run a hospital.”
Campers spent their days attending lectures about various topics and participating in hands-on demonstrations such as the simulation labs at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center.
The simulation labs offered experiences similar to case studies, using dummies that act and react to symptoms, medications and side effects.
Dr. Frank Heinselman, emergency medical resident physician, said the campers worked to identify wounds and diagnose and treat the patient.
Other demonstrations included one where campers witnessed how the magnets in MRIs and computed tomography scans work and how technicians prepare patients for sleep studies.
Campers also learned about the human body, including the components of blood, and listened to guest speakers discuss topics ranging from diet and exercise to tattoos and piercings. Liz Young of Dave’s Running in Sylvania spoke about foot care and energy drinks.
Alex Bronikowski, an eighth-grade student at Regina Coeli in Toledo, said her favorite part of the course were the dissections. Campers dissected animal organs such as hearts, stomachs, brains and eyeballs.
Bronikowski, who said she wants to be an anesthesiologist or coroner, said she was fascinated by the similarities between livestock and human hearts.
Skeldon said the camp, which began five years ago, gives students who are interested in math and science the opportunity to see all of Mercy College and hospital.
