Heather Royer, Director of Business Development and Community Education at DeQuincy Memorial Hospital, was the featured speaker at the Wednesday, July 24, Rotary meeting, held at El Tucan Restaurant recently.
Royer told Rotarians about the AHEC (Area Health Education Center), of a Summer Program, that the hospital has hosted for many years, starting back in the ‘90s. As a result many students have now been employed by the Hospital.
Four years ago, the program was brought back, teaching students how to become healthcare professionals.
The program runs for two weeks, with area school students shadowing medical staff in every department, learning the ins and outs of various jobs.
They are taken on several fields trips to include the Sowela Nursing Department, Calcasieu Coroner’s Office, Crime Lab, a dialysis center, a veterinarian’s office, and a dental office. Air Vac flies in and teaches the group C.P.R.
There are several speakers to include LOPA and the Eye Bank, and Acadiana Ambulance.
Students receive a .5 high school credit from the program.
High school students from DeQuincy, South Beauregard, Singer and Starks are invited to participate.
