Photos by Laurelin Kruse Students of the Summer Institute for Health Careers learn directly from health care professionals. Virginia Jordan, Family Nurse Practitioner of Conejos County Wellness Center shows students Briana Lujan and Lauren Keen how to suture a pig foot. Hands-on experience gives the aspiring health professionals a look into the medical field.

Program addresses

health care

shortage in Valley



By LAURELIN KRUSE

ALAMOSA — A group of Valley students were introduced this week to the good, the bad and the sometimes gross aspects of the health care profession when they embarked on their first week of the Summer Institute for Health Careers.

The 20 participants are not graduate students or college kids, but sophomores through seniors in high school eager for a taste of experience in the health care field. The institute’s primary objective is to recruit and train students interested in health care, pushing students to attend college and eventually return to the Valley to serve in health care occupations. “This is one way of addressing the shortage in health care occupations in the San Luis Valley,” said Executive Director of the San Luis Valley Area Health Education Center Freddie Jaquez.

When Jaquez took the position of AHEC director he told the board he would revive this program. He re-established the Summer Institute for Health Careers this year. The program started in 1979 and continued for 24 years until running out of funding.

The program has received funding from seven sources this year, the Caring for Colorado Foundation, Ed Pomar, Rocky Mountain SER, Valley-Wide Health Systems, SLV Regional Medical Center, SLV HMO and Adams State College.

“There’s a lot of local support for the program,” said Jaquez.

Students were selected based on their interest in the health care field and school performance. “We’re lucky to be chosen,” said senior Daniel Duran.

The Area Health Education Center received 43 applications. Twenty students were selected for the program. “It’s really about the right size,” said Jaquez. The small class size fosters active participation and support.

Students spent the first week of the institute at Adams State College. They plunged into the field through science labs, lectures from professionals and other hands-on activities.

“They have us pretty booked,” said junior Savannah Schlaufman. The students are happy to spend their summer educationally.

“It’s nice not to just be a couch potato all summer,” said junior Amanda Ryker.

The diversity of activities gives the students insight into a range of careers. “It gives you a better view of what exactly you want to go into,” said Schlaufman.

The students have a wide variety of career interests. Some plan to pursue veterinary medicine while others want to go into research. Many want to become nurses, doctors or surgeons.

The institute gives students direction while exposing them to a variety of opportunities in health care. “I’ve been wanting to be a pediatrician. Now I want to be a nurse practitioner,” said junior Amanda Martin. She said the program changed her mind and made her realize she wanted to work with more than just children.

After less than a week in the program, most students are motivated to continue the path to a career in health care. “I would love to have this as a job,” said Emily Schnorr.

Next week students will spend a week in Denver. They will have lectures and demonstrations from health professionals. They will also go on field trips conducted by the University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center.

The students will undergo four weeks of on the job training at medical related facilities in the Valley. Then they will have 160 hours of paid work experience through Rocky Mountain SER.

The Area Health Education Center will track students through high school and communicate with them in college. “Staying communicated with them continuously encourages them to come back and practice in the San Luis Valley,” said Jaquez.