Emma Engel has wanted to be a doctor since she was a little girl, even
though she admitted going through a phase where she was afraid of needles!
The
Campbell County High School (CCHS) senior is one of 12 internship or mentorship students who are learning
about healthcare careers through direct experience at
Campbell County Health (CCH) this semester. The internship students are juniors participating
in the Health Care academy at CCHS and they rotate between three different
assignments per semester. Seniors are typically the mentorship students
who are placed in one location for the entire semester for a more in-depth
study. The mentorship students are enrolled in the Health Care academy
with Ms. Williams or Mentorship class with Ms. Watt at CCHS.
CCH has participated in the CCHS Academy program and accepted students
through mentorship classes for several years, but sets the bar high those
who want to see health care in action. According to Volunteer Coordinator
Chris Buxton, students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and complete a rigorous
application process that includes writing an essay.
The students don’t provide any direct patient care, but they get
to watch and learn what goes on in various healthcare settings. Last year
Emma was placed on the Campbell County Health Medical Surgical
floor and even got to observe a surgery.
“It was the coolest thing I’ve ever experienced,” she said.
This semester Emma asked to be placed at the Campbell County Medical Group
Kid Clinic, a primary care clinic for children in the old Hillcrest School. Physician
Assistant
Val Amstadt has worked with physician assistant students and nursing students before,
and is looking forward to sharing her knowledge with Emma.
Emma is very excited for the opportunity to work with Val because she is
a patient of the Kid Clinic herself. She’s currently taking Human
Physiology and wants to attend Seattle Pacific University as a prelude
to medical school.
“Emma is a very dedicated student,” says Chris Buxton. “I
could tell from our first meeting that she will succeed at any goal she
sets for herself.”
If you're interested in learning more about volunteering with CCH,
please contact Volunteer Coordinator Chris Buxton at 307.688.1536 or visit
www.cchwyo.org/volunteer.