Guest Blog: MWU Hosts Middle Schoolers at Science Day

Today's guest blog comes from Abena Patton, Special Events & Web Manager at the Downers Grove Campus.

On May 7, MWU's Downers Grove Campus hosted a hands-on health science day for the students of Daniel Hale Williams Preparatory School of Medicine, located in Chicago. CCOM is the school's official medical school partner. About 35 MWU medical, pharmacy, and PA students took time out of their day to assist the 7th and 8th graders on their special field trip. Many of the MWU students shared their experiences of life in med school or discussed their current rotation schedules in pharmacists and physicians' offices.

The day began with an introduction from Karen J. Nichols, D.O., Dean of CCOM, who welcomed the students and their teachers. She introduced Robert Kappler, D.O., as a "world-renowned osteopathic physician." And he is. As soon as he began to speak about the history of osteopathic medicine, I watched most of the students pull out their pads and paper and begin taking notes. Dr. Kappler marveled the students with his disclosure of treating many former Chicago Bear football players. Although Dr. Kappler wasn't the team physician, many of the players regularly came to receive osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) treatments from him.

In the pharmacy session, the students measured and weighed ingredients to create their own bottle of hand sanitizer and lotion. They learned the principles of what it takes to be a pharmacist, from how to provide patient care to how to prevent errors in dispensing medications. I noticed how perceptive the students were as they listened to CCP faculty members Dr. Tom Reutzel and Dr. Archana Desai. The students experienced first-hand the importance of following directions and gathered information on how important math is in pharmacy school.

In the gross anatomy session, third- and fourth-year medical students spoke to the middle schoolers with excitement and provided great energy for what they were gearing up to view. Imagine this...human brains, lungs, spinal cords, bones, and hearts. Each student was able to hold these organs. As I watched the eyes of these young men and women, I saw delight. MWU was able to be a part of their memory of the first time they held a human heart. Can you say you've held a human heart? I can't, and I didn't. I had no courage to physically touch the human parts. But for these kids, it was confirmation of their desire to be a health care professional. And MWU made that happen. It was a great feeling when that thought crossed my mind. I'm getting teary-eyed just thinking about it now.

The final session of the day was with the physician assistant faculty and students. And what a great group they were. They prepared a session where students molded casts on each other. The most common injury the prep school students probably see on their peers is a broken arm or leg. Have you ever wondered how a cast is made? Well, I am sure the physician didn't let you participate in this procedure. Normally, you try to sit or lie in the position still enough, and hope you don't express the pain that you feel as they mold this plaster around the broken bones that need healing. Each student participated in creating the mold of a splint, which, if time permitted, would have been the beginning of a full cast. As the faculty and physician assistant students walked around, they watched each prep student engrossed and enjoying the task of casting.

As our day ended, I met with the faculty and students to wish them well as they departed our campus. Many of the students expressed how much fun they had and graciously thanked MWU for hosting them. It was a great feeling to see our University serve through community relations. I also would like to thank all the MWU students who helped us. They were just great with the prep school students. I saw each and every one of them step up and display great leadership skills. They were so encouraging to the younger students. I was very proud of them.