Beachwood Medical Academy Camp Inspires Future Physicians
Beachwood High School students will immerse themselves in the world of medicine during a free medical camp hosted in partnership with the University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center, June 13 - 15.
Students interested in medical careers will gain clinical exposure and explore the impact of poverty on health. Teens will learn suturing techniques, participate in lung and heart dissections, and tour Ahuja’s newly expanded facilities. They will explore careers in a variety of disciplines during hands-on seminars and live demonstrations led by distinguished University Hospitals providers in the fields of cardiology, pulmonology, thoracic surgery, neurological surgery, and otolaryngology.
“We want to create experiential learning opportunities that will get students excited about careers in healthcare,” said Dr. David Rosenberg, MD, MPH, pulmonologist and medical director of the University Hospitals Ahuja Lung Center. The Beachwood High School alum (class of ‘66) helped establish the Beachwood High School Medical Academy in 2014 with the aim of inspiring the healthcare providers of tomorrow. The program prepares teens for competitive pre-med programs through advanced coursework and hospital immersion experiences.
On the final day of the camp, students will participate in a poverty simulation at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to learn how food insecurity impacts health. “Students will gain an appreciation for how social determinants affect health,” said Dr. Rosenberg. “Being healthy is more than going to the doctor and taking medicine. Factors such as whether patients have enough to eat, a place to live, financial stability, and access to medical facilities in their community significantly influence health outcomes.”
“We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Rosenberg for his leadership in providing our students with authentic learning experiences that offer a glimpse into what it’s like to work in the medical profession,” said Dr. Linda LoGalbo, director of curriculum and instruction at Beachwood Schools. “The camp demonstrates to students how providers from a wide range of medical disciplines can collaborate to solve pressing healthcare challenges in our society.”