Maine AHEC Network hosted its annual Health Careers Exploration Camp, welcoming students from across the state to spend three immersive days learning about potential careers within healthcare.
The camp took place June 22 through June 24, and welcomed 30 students from rural and historically underrepresented communities in Maine. Maine AHEC Network partnered with the New Mainer Public Health Initiative and Maine Access Immigrant Network to engage refugee and immigrant youth in the camp’s activities.
The campers were able to experience hands-on activities at both the UNE Portland and Biddeford campuses, while hearing presentations from faculty and students within the university’s health professions programs.
“Our camp showcases various healthcare fields, like nursing, dental medicine, pharmacy, and athletic training, to help students discover potential career paths they might not have considered otherwise,” said Bethany Fortier, Associate Clinical Professor of Public Health and faculty consultant with AHEC. “By encouraging these students to pursue healthcare careers, and providing them with necessary skills and knowledge, health profession camps like ours play a crucial role in addressing Maine’s healthcare gaps.”
Experiences like this camp also give students a realistic idea of what it takes to enter the healthcare field, and what work within that field entails.
One student said following their time at camp, “Before, I thought that to pursue a medical profession, you have to be crazy-smart, but I now realize that all you need is hard work and dedication.”
The campers have unique access while attending the camp, interacting with healthcare professionals not only as instructors, but as mentors. During the camp, students are provided real insight from the professionals, who share their personal experiences, challenges, and what they find rewarding about their careers. The students spent the night at UNE’s Biddeford Campus for the duration of the camp, giving them a glimpse of the college experience.
Several UNE health professions programs volunteered their time to host engaging activities for the students, including the College of Dental Medicine, the Department of Dental Hygiene, the College of Osteopathic Medicine, the School of Nursing, the School of Pharmacy, and the Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Public Health, Athletic Training, and Nutrition Programs. The Maine Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities hosted an activity, and LymeTV presented on healthcare advocacy. In addition, the camp’s funders, Martin’s Point Health Care provided information to students about the medical assisting profession.
The long-term goal of the camp is to reduce health disparities for rural and underserved communities, while inspiring a new generation of students to become invested in public health.
“By nurturing interest in healthcare careers early on, our camp helps create a pathway of future healthcare professionals,” said Fortier. “It also helps our campers make informed decisions about their future careers. This is particularly important in states like Maine where an aging population and healthcare-workforce shortages are pressing issues.”
The Health Careers Exploration Camp is funded through the generous support of Martin’s Point Health Care.