What: Summer Health Institute Community Advocacy Project: Diabetes
When: 1pm Thursday, July 14th, 2016
Who:Monterey County students participating in SVMHS Summer Health Institute
program provide diabetes education at YMCA
Where: Salinas Community YMCA
117 Clay St., Salinas, CA 93901
Visuals: High school students presenting diabetes education to YMCA youngsters
and engaging them in health and wellness topics
Interviews: Students at SVMHS Summer Health Institute are spending five weeks
learning about healthcare careers. Community outreach and
education are part of their projects.
Students enrolled in the Summer Health Institute program at Salinas Valley
Memorial Healthcare System (SVMHS) are taking their new health and wellness
knowledge into the community. Two groups from the summer program will
be presenting their Community Advocacy projects on Thursday, July 14th
to children at the Salinas Community YMCA.
“We’re excited to teach these kids what we have learned about
a national health crisis - diabetes,” says Summer Health Institute
student, Jacqueline Leon. “Type two diabetes can be managed and
even reversed with proper diet and exercise. This project allows us to
raise community awareness.”
The Community Advocacy project is part of the five week Summer Health Institute
program at SVMHS which gives students interested in healthcare a backstage
pass to hospital operations, mentors and training in various medical fields.
This presentation at the YMCA will focus on diabetes and basic nutrition,
is aimed at children ages 5-10, and will include prizes and hands-on activities
that reinforce the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
“Every year, our organization helps inspire the next generation of
healthcare professionals with hands on learning and experiences in the
medical profession,” says program coordinator Shannon Graham. “We
hope the students who participate in Summer Health Institute will pursue
a career in medicine and come back and serve their community.”
The Community Advocacy presentations reflect a culmination of classroom
instruction, hands-on learning and lab work. Summer Health Institute provides
an opportunity for high school students interested in healthcare to focus
on quality patient care and outstanding outcomes. Applicants undergo a
rigorous selection process. This year, 18 students represent various high
schools throughout Monterey County including Alisal, Carmel, North Salinas,
Notre Dame, Salinas, and Seaside.
“This program has been a great experience,” says Summer Health
Institute student, Dionna Menchaca. “I want to be a labor and delivery
nurse and I am so grateful for everything I was able to see and learn
at Salinas Valley Memorial.”
For the past 13 years, staff and physicians at SVMHS volunteer to work
with Summer Health Institute students through lesson plans, exercises
and internships designed to help the students develop career skills while
emphasizing the importance of teamwork.
In addition to knowledge and skill based learning at SVMHS, the students
also received a week of instruction at Hartnell College in Salinas and
enjoyed a field trip to Stanford Hospital and Clinics in Palo Alto. Students
have presented their case studies under the guidance of a mentor and after
the Community Advocacy presentations, will celebrate their accomplishments
and completion of the program during a graduation ceremony.