High school students get hands-on healthcare experience at UMaine Augusta

The University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) hosted its annual rural workforce medical bootcamp on Tuesday, giving more than 70 high school students from nine schools across Katahdin and Washington County regions hands-on experience in healthcare fields. The event covered nursing, dental health, mental health, human services, medical laboratory technology, and veterinary technology, with students engaging in simulations like emergency response scenarios. Korah Soll, executive director of the Rural Aspirations Project, noted students' excitement about meeting professors and experiencing integrated technology in healthcare programs. The initiative aims to encourage students to explore careers that could help fill workforce gaps in Maine’s rural communities. Dr. Shannon Gauvin, director of nursing at UMA, emphasized the importance of supporting diverse healthcare roles beyond just medical providers. She highlighted the program’s success with students from Oxford County, who returned for a second year, and expressed hope for expanding the program to other regions. Participants like Logan DePriest, a Woodland High School junior, found the simulation experience immersive and enjoyable, despite initial uncertainty. Carlie Leighton, a 10th grader at Woodland High School, confirmed her interest in becoming a pediatric nurse after the event. UMA staff described the program as rewarding, particularly in witnessing students’ growth over multiple years, and expressed plans to sustain and expand it across Maine.