Hospital provides opportunities for students

The sports medicine class at Estes Park High School were given a unique opportunity On Jan. 25. The class got to experience what medical professionals do to care for patients from an emergency all the way to discharge. (Courtesy photo)

On Jan. 25 the Sports Medicine class was given an incredible opportunity to learn from numerous medical professionals from Estes Park Health. For the sixth year, the hospital has taken time to organize and prepare a simulation for our class to get an incredible hands-on experience. The day started in the gym at Estes Park High School, where two students collided in the gym and both had injuries that needed to be treated and assessed. The students worked alongside Dr. Florence and numerous members of the Emergency Services to help stabilize and transport our “patients”. Once patients were ready to be moved the students traveled in the ambulance to the emergency room at Estes Park Health.

The students worked alongside Estes Park Health physicians and numerous members of the Emergency Services to help stabilize and transport our “patients”. Once patients were ready to be moved the students traveled in the ambulance to the emergency room at Estes Park Health. (Courtesy photo)

In the emergency room students were able to see different ways patients are taken care of including things like ultrasound and heart monitors. The group of students were also given a lesson on imaging to identify broken bones and head trauma from Dr. Chew and Dr. Florence. Students then transported one of our patients to imaging. Students were given a tour of the imaging department and were able to see how the CT scanner, MRI, and x-ray machines are used. Students then got the unique experience of getting dressed for the operating room. While in the operating room students were able to gain a better understanding of how important it is to have a sterile environment. They also learned about what a surgical assistant does and they were able to see and handle many of the tools and hardware needed for surgery.

After surgery students then learned about patient recovery and a little bit about what nurses do to help patients recover. Our students learned about safety for patients, ways to help patients move, and ways that medications are thoroughly checked with a scanner system that helps to not only log medications a patient is given, but also ensure that they are going to the right patient. After recovery students were able to find out a little bit about physical therapy. All of the students were able to try some of the exercises patients would do to help them recover from surgery.

Students got the unique experience of getting dressed for the operating room. While in the operating room students were able to gain a better understanding of how important it is to have a sterile environment. They also learned about what a surgical assistant does and they were able to see and handle many of the tools and hardware needed for surgery. (Courtesy photo)

When we completed all of the places our injured patient would go, Estes Park Health treated our students to lunch followed by small groups where students could learn about different medical professions and what it takes to get into those positions. Students were divided up into four different groups and spent about 15 minutes visiting with professionals from Emergency Medical Services, Nursing, Occupational and Physical Therapy, and Physicians.

We are so fortunate to have this opportunity for our students. It speaks volumes to the investment Estes Park Health and all of its employees have in helping our students see so many options in the medical field that they may want to pursue in their future. Often times students are interested in what they know or things they have experienced. This experience is unlike any other. By putting students in a simulation it allows them an incredible view into the numerous pathways of medicine. The Sports Medicine class has 14 students. In order to be in the class students have to take Anatomy and Physiology and also apply for one of the fourteen spots available. Throughout the semester we have multiple professionals that come in and teach our students. The simulation is always immediately after our students get their CPR/AED First Aid certification that is taught by Janet Bielmaier. We want to thank Estes Park Health for continuing to support our students with this amazing opportunity. It is truly an advantage we have to be living in such a caring community with so many amazing medical professionals that are willing to donate their time to show students what they do and how they help people.