Eight junior high and high school students from Omaha have completed
a six-week summer program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center
designed to give the students practical health care information and perhaps
inspire them to pursue a future health care career.
The students, all African-Americans, spent three full days a week at
UNMC and experienced a wide range of educational and hands-on activities.
Some of the educational programs included sessions on the dangers of street
drugs, tobacco and its effect on your body, and how to make smart decisions
to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.
Hands-on activities included using a microscope and stethoscope and
receiving CPR and first aid training and certification. The students also
toured the LifeNet helicopter at UNMC and Nebraska Health System, the American
Red Cross blood bank, a water sewage plant and a fire station.
The project — the UNMC Community Academy Exploration Program — was
coordinated by Lisa Jewell of the UNMC Student Services Department. Students
participating in the program will be entering the 8th, 9th or 10th grade
this fall. They were recommended for the program by the Pacesetter Academy
at the Omaha Public Schools, teachers and other members of the community.
Each student had to fill out an application and explain why they wanted
to participate in the program.
“The idea behind the program is to expose minority students to something
they wouldn’t normally experience,” Jewell said. “We don’t want them to
know about UNMC only when they get sick or injured. We want them to see
what wonderful things happen here and how we can make a difference in people’s
lives. I like to think we’re serving as a UNMC Prep for these students.
“It was exciting working with these students and watching them learn.
Not that many students are willing to give up 18 days of their summer vacation
to do something like this. I think it’s terrific that they were willing
to make this sort of commitment.”
Jewell said the program will be offered year-around by UNMC, starting
in September. During the school year, students will come to UNMC two Saturdays
each month. She hopes to have enough students that she can break them into
different age groups.
People wanting more information on the Community Academy Exploration
Program should contact Jewell at 559-6357.
Students participating in the program this summer are listed below with
their school and grade they will be attending in the fall:
BENSON HIGH SCHOOL Precious Bonner, 9th grade, and Tristynn Carter,
9th grade;
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Eboni Lampkin, 10th grade;
NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL Laura Jones, 9th grade, and Marvin Malepeai,
9th grade;
MCMILLAN JUNIOR HIGH Roger Dollison, 8th grade;
NATHAN HALE JUNIOR HIGH Chantia Bowles, 8th grade, and Shamiesha
Johnson, 8th grade.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Through its commitment to research, education, outreach and patient care,
UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for
cancer research and treatment and solid organ transplantation. More than
$34 million in research grants and contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists
annually. In addition, UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for
training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other
institution.