November 2009

Mandeville High students learn about healthcare careers

On November 12th and 19th, Healthcare Professionals from Lakeview Regional Medical Center visited with 150 students in the 9th Grade Career Orientation Classes at Mandeville High school.

As a form of long term recruitment for healthcare careers, Registered Dietitians, Radiologic Technologists, and a Registered Nurse talked to students about their professions.

Educational requirements, internships, licensure, salary, and benefits were presented to the students. To engage the students, "hands on" activities were offered; students dressed in surgical garb, examined xray films of fractures and injuries, and participated in a question and answer session about good nutrition and healthy diet.

In addition, students were given information about the St. Tammany Healthcare Careers That Heal program, and encouraged to check out that website for detailed information about preparing for a career in healthcare.

The speakers were Carrie Gardache and Debbie Ross, Registered Dietitians; Tracy Marlbrough, Registered Radiology Technologist; and Shay Lorenz, Registered Nurse.

Shay Lorenz, Clinical Recruiter at Lakeview stated " In order to encourage young people to work in the healthcare field in the future, it is important to provide information about the job satisfaction, benefits, and opportunities at an early age. This allows students to plan their course curriculum in high school and college, and to utilize programs such as the St. Tammany School Board Allied Health Academy to 'try on' healthcare professions such as nursing, medicine, rehab, etc. Our staff at Lakeview is passionate about helping patients and families in their care, and this is very evident when they speak to the students. We like to lead by example."

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