On April 16, a group of first-year students from the University of Maryland School of Medicine hosted 23 freshmen from the PTECH School at Dunbar for a panel discussion on college and healthcare careers. This was followed by “Stop the Bleed” training provided by trauma surgeons from the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center.

Stop the Bleed is a national campaign designed to prepare laypersons to address life-threatening bleeding after everyday emergencies or natural disasters. It is sponsored by the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma.

The PTECH School at Dunbar is a new six-year high school program that features integrated high school and college coursework leading to an industry-recognized postsecondary degree in a healthcare field (physical therapy, nursing, health information technology, and respiratory care) for all enrolled students. As an industry partner and Baltimore anchor institution, UMB partners with PTECH to provide campus-based learning opportunities and mentors from the University community.

The April 16 activity was organized by first-year medical students and panelists Dominique Gelmann, Mohammad Hadavand, Molly Himmelrich, Atizaz Hussain, and Madeleine Smith, in partnership with trauma surgeons Laura Buchanan, MD, Sharon Henry, MD, Habeeba Park, MD, Jason Pasley, DO, and the UMB Office of Community Engagement (OCE). Participating students gained valuable information about general preparation for higher education and specifics on how to prepare now for future careers in medicine.

Alexia Smith, corporate education liaison for PTECH, said about the visit, “The information our students gained from this experience was invaluable! Not only did they learn to start thinking critically and early about the process of continuing their education beyond their high school diploma and associate degrees, but they also gained a valuable skill in the Stop the Bleeding training, which can help them save people’s lives. The kids were ecstatic, and this experience really helped build their confidence. Thank you!”

OCE challenges student groups, staff, and faculty across the UMB campus to develop creative ways to share their chosen career paths with our K-12 partners. If you, your student organization, or department would like to propose such an activity or gain assistance in developing creative ways to engage our community partners, please contact Brian Sturdivant, MSW, director of strategic initiatives and community partnerships, via email at  bsturdivant@umaryland.edu or by calling 410-706-1678.