Jonesboro, AR – For several years, Makayla Washington, a rising junior at eStem Public Charter School in Little Rock, has felt a pull toward a career in medicine, specifically as a pediatrician. This week, Washington attended a medical-themed camp hosted by New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University that helped confirm her future field of study.

Project H.E.A.R.T. Camp

The four-day, three-night camp allows rising high school juniors and seniors to spend time on the NYITCOM and A-State campus to learn about career opportunities in healthcare and enjoy hands-on activities that give them a taste of medical school. Participants learn about a day in the life of a medical student, hear about the undergraduate admissions process, and engage in activities that include a pig heart dissection in the NYITCOM anatomy lab.

Students were also introduced to several medical procedures, including placing IVs on medical mannequins and learning about phlebotomy techniques. Additionally, participants heard from a variety of healthcare professionals – including physicians, nurses, physical therapists and medical technicians – to learn about various roles within healthcare fields.

Impact and Expansion

Since its inception, over 400 students have participated in Project H.E.A.R.T., and many of its graduates have gone on to attend medical school or pursue careers in nursing, physical therapy, and health education. NYITCOM created Project H.E.A.R.T. in 2017, a year after the medical school opened its Jonesboro location. In 2023, the school expanded the program to Southwest Arkansas through its partnership with Henderson State University.

Original reporting: NEA Report (Jonesboro) — read the source article.