Feb. 23, 2005
By Laura Lee Bloor
Aspiring cardiologists, gynecologists, physical therapists, x-ray technicians and a variety of other medically-minded students visited Ohio University last week to learn more about health career opportunities.
Thursday morning during breakfast and introductions, when high school junior Porcha Mays introduced herself, she asserted that she is going to be a gynecologist.
"A lot of gynos are old men, I mean old men," she says, "so being a young woman, I think it would make a lot of women feel more comfortable."
Mays is one of several students from Dunbar High School in Dayton, Ohio, who came to Ohio University to learn about the career paths in medicine as part of the Dayton Consortium Program. The Dayton Consortium Program is conducted at Dunbar High School, Ohio University First Lady Deborah McDavis' high school alma mater, in collaboration with local health care institutions during after-school time and intersessions.
Beginning in their sophomore year, Dunbar students participate in programs and activities that increase awareness, knowledge and skills for pursuing education in health careers. High school juniors visit Ohio University and are exposed to different health care facilities, medical programs and financial aid information, said Denise Hughes-Tafen, program coordinator. Seniors that apply to Ohio University and are accepted, have the opportunity to participate in the six-week Summer Enrichment Program the summer before their freshman year.
Some of this year's events for the students included a scavenger hunt around campus, health-science jeopardy, ACT preparatory discussion and information on preparing for medical school.
However, not every student who visited was interested in the medical field. Donedra Montgomery says she is thinking about going into journalism but came because she knew it was a good opportunity to learn more about different majors at Ohio University.
"I want to write for a magazine and eventually have my own magazine," she says.
The Center of Excellence for Multicultural Medicine, which is part of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, sponsors the event in hopes of helping students who are disadvantaged gain access to educational opportunities that might be otherwise inaccessible, Hughes-Tafen, said. This year marks the Dayton Consortium Program's third year at Ohio University.
Laura Lee Bloor is a student writer with University Communications and Marketing. Related Links:
