Perspectives Summer/Fall 2016

COLLEGE OF HEALTH CARE SCIENCES • 27 Front row, from left, are Miguel Echeverria, DMS student; Lonette Spence, D.H.Sc., M.A.S., RVT; Silas Spence; and DMS students Laura Liston, Daika Derival, and Vanessa Gomes. Back row, from left, are DMS students Kristin Owais-Hernan- dez, Alexis Jarvis, and Stephanie Ranger. The TLJMS participants were actively engaged in the presentation, includ- ing one group that was from a school that offered programs in medical assisting and phlebotomy. The youngest and final group of partici- pants was from a middle school. The DMS students were astonished at the responses they received when they asked the middle and high school students what they knew about ultrasound. One student replied, “Ultrasound is used to ensure that a baby is healthy.” Another student answered, “Ultrasound is utilized to see if the organs are functioning properly,” while another student said, “Ultrasound is used to look for anomalies in the body.” After the five overall presentations, several students acknowledged that they would consider ultra- sound as an option for their future career aspirations. Each group of students was accompanied by one or two teachers, who interacted with the students during the demonstrations. The DMS students proclaimed that the experience of interacting with the TLJMS pupils was a great opportunity for them to educate and give back to other students. They also enjoyed working together as a group. The collaborative activity gave the first-year students the opportunity to converse with the second-year students and exchange information regarding courses and externship experiences. Similarly, the second-year students provided their first-year peers with essential information to help them be successful in the program. A collective team approach was the key element to ensuring the success of the Healthcare and Science Stars of Tomorrow Career Symposium. Both classes are eager to participate in future career fairs or community service projects, because their goal is to educate individuals about the profession of sonography and increase their presence in public- service events. n