On July 1st, students representing Camden’s Promise and Camden Academy began a medical enrichment program at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. The experience gave students an opportunity to explore the medical field and learn about a variety of healthcare career paths.
Throughout the day, students were introduced to multiple medical professions and gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to work in healthcare. The program also included hands-on activities designed to expand their knowledge and spark interest in future medical careers.
Dr. O’Brien, one of the program organizers, was in attendance and observed students participating in activities such as suturing and orthopedic learning exercises.
“Today, I worked with the students in orthopedics and suturing, and they were really engaged in learning about different muscles and the musculoskeletal system,” she said. “Seeing the students build confidence and work together to get better was really rewarding.”
She also noted that many students expressed strong interest in pursuing careers in medicine, emphasizing that programs like this serve as an important first step toward those goals.
One of those students, sophomore Ashley DeLaCruz, explored ultrasound technology during the program and even had the chance to perform one for the first time.
“I really enjoyed learning about the ultrasound,” she said. “That was the first time I’ve ever been up close, and seeing the kidneys and other parts of the body was really interesting.”
Ashley shared that she hopes to become a Pediatric Nurse, inspired in part by family members already working in healthcare, as well as her passion for helping children and caring for others.
Another sophomore, Elise Lopez of Camden Academy, participated in a suturing activity and practiced the technique herself.
“It was my first time learning how to suture, and it was great,” she said. “I liked learning something new, and I’ve always wanted to learn how to suture.”
Elise added that she is eager to continue exploring different healthcare career paths as she considers her future.
Overall, the program provided students with meaningful, hands-on exposure to the medical field, helping many of them take an early step toward potential careers in healthcare.