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CNY teens try out health care careers at Upstate's MedQuest camp

CNY teens try out health care careers at Upstate's MedQuest camp

So, what did you do on your summer vacation? For two dozen Central New York teens the answer might be some suturing, making radiation therapy masks or learning occupational therapy techniques.

That’s just a small part of the itinerary for participants in Upstate Medical University’s popular residential MedQuest Health Careers Exploration Camp, which runs July 14 through 18 on the Upstate campus.

“The MedQuest Health Careers Exploration Camp shines the light on some of the most sought-after jobs in the health care industry, and gives these students an early look at what these jobs are like, as well as what skills and knowledge are necessary to land a job in health care,” said Donna Vavonese, one of the program’s organizers.

MedQuest students will visit Upstate’s surgery simulation center, tour the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital and learn about the nursing profession. And that’s only day one of the camp. The rest of the week is just as busy with visits to emergency medicine training center, the blood bank and Upstate’s clinical skills training center, where medical students learn the art of patient interaction, and other venues.

For hands-on activities, there’s a suturing and casting clinic, and a radiation therapy mask-making assignment. “This is an important activity in that it teaches our students part of what’s involved in the treatment of cancers of the brain, head and neck,” said Elton Garvin, an instructor in the College of Health Professions’s radiation therapy education department. Students will create a mask that fits the contours of their head and face. Masks, like these, are worn by cancer patients receiving radiation therapy.

For free time, campers will enjoy various activities, including a dinner at Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville.

The MedQuest camp is sponsored by the Central New York Area Health Education Center (CNYAHEC), which helps train healthcare professionals throughout the region.

For more information, visit MedQuest.

Caption: Radiation therapy masks, created by students in Upstate’s MedQuest Health Careers Exploration Camp.

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