Perspectives Summer/Fall 2016

26 • NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY Interprofessional collaborative education is essential to the students and faculty members of the Diagnos- tic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program, which was invited to participate in the Fourth Annual Healthcare and Science Stars of Tomorrow Career Symposium. The event, held on March 12 at the Inlet Grove Community High School in Riviera Beach, Florida, was spon- sored by the T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society (TLJMS). Every year, the TLJMS, which is a group of health care professionals committed to enhancing health, wellness, and academic opportuni- ties for underserved populations in Palm Beach County, invites more than 600 middle and high school students from ethnically diverse backgrounds to participate in the symposium. The participants typically reside in Palm Beach, Okeechobee, and Martin counties. The students have the opportunity to meet and interact with health care and science professionals from diverse backgrounds. Some of the professions include, but are not limited to, physicians, nurses, physician assistants, occupational therapists, anesthesiologist assis- tants, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists. The career fair allows the students to broaden their knowledge and explore other potential careers or endeavors through lectures, live and interactive activities, and exhibits. The event’s goal is to attract students from underrepresented populations, expose them to other professions, and enhance their career options. This event also is important because it allows disadvantaged students to have the same advantages as privileged students. Several students from the DMS classes of 2016 and 2017 volunteered to participate in the career sympo- sium. The class of 2016 participants were Vanessa Gomes, Student Government Association (SGA) president; Daika Derival; and Kristen Owais-Hernandez. The class of 2017 volunteers were Laura Liston, SGA president; Miguel Echeverria; Alexis Jarvis; and Stephanie Ranger. The mix of DMS students from both academic years provided a balance for the targeted audience of adoles- cents. The students were able to discuss their personal experiences regarding the DMS program and clinical experiences. The DMS students also assisted symposium participants with practicing live ultrasound scanning on Silas Spence, a Western High School student. The students began each presenta- tion by asking, “What is ultrasound or sonography?” As anticipated, most of the TLJMS participants replied, “It is used to see babies.” Some of the participants were confused by the term sonography; they were unaware that it could be used interchangeably with ultra- sound. They were surprised to discover that ultrasound can be used to image other areas, such as the kidneys, liver, spleen, veins, arteries, thyroid, and heart. Students Teaching Students Provides Key Insights BY LONETTE SPENCE, D.H.SC ., M.A.S., RVT, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR Medical Sonography FORT LAUDERDALE