Aaron was one of nine high school students to take part in the Beyond the Stethoscope Summer Program at Southern New Hampshire Health. Once interested in a business career, Aaron now wants to be a respiratory therapist. Courtesy photo/Southern New Hampshire Health

NASHUA – For six weeks this summer, nine area high school students got out of bed on Monday mornings to attend the Beyond the Stethoscope Summer Program at Southern New Hampshire Health to learn about careers in healthcare.

On Aug. 12, a conference room at SNHH buzzed with energy as the students shared poster presentations with leaders and family members showcasing their experience.

“These students got to see part of the hospital our employees don’t know exists,” said Kameo Lelievre, volunteer services manager and co-leader of the program at SNHH. “We had a full tour of the lower basement and boiler room to see how climate control works in our operating rooms and we also went up to the roof.”

The program was a significant milestone for Lelievre and Viktoriya Dribinskaya, director of Workforce Development at SNHH.

“I was getting so much information about how high school students were going to colleges outside the state and ultimately not returning to work here in New Hampshire,” said Dribinskaya. “Our intent was to show students that there are endless opportunities right here in their own communities.”

“I thought I wanted to go into business,” said Aaron, a program participant, adding that his mother insisted that he apply for the program. “I waited until the last minute to apply but am really glad I did.”

Aaron now wants to become a respiratory therapist after Respiratory Manager Jessica Howard went out of her way to make sure her presentation had an impact.

“I called around to local meat processing plants and found a set of pig lungs in Goffstown I could purchase for $15,” said Howard. “Most students are taught using balloons. I wanted to make sure our students got a full, interactive experience so you can see what the different settings do.”

Aaron said he was a little hesitant at first.

“Initially, I wasn’t sure I could handle the guts, but I was fine,” he said. “I really liked respiratory therapy and want to find a hands-on program.”

Grace, another local student, experienced the warmth and teamwork of the nursing team at the SNHH Birth Place.

“I was in the right place at the right time and saw a baby being delivered,” she said. It was the mom’s second child and she gave permission for me to be there. It was beautiful being there for the best day of their lives.”

Grace said she witnessed the whole team working closely together during the after care, which has inspired her to further her education in nursing.

Student Isabella said she is really into chemistry and science, but it was touring the O.R. that gave her clarity about a nursing career.

“Seeing the operating room in person and not just on TV helped me gain insight into areas nurses work in and more about what they do,” she said. “I’m more interested in the surgical side than the bedside.”

Laboratory Director Channy Brown is one of dozens of staff members who participated in the program.

“Lab, radiology and all the clinical support services are often forgotten and they play a huge role in patient care,” said Brown. “My goal was to spark interest – we have cool instrumentation and many different paths – it’s not about staring at a microscope all day.”

Her enthusiasm inspired one participant to explore a career in the lab.

Student Ananya was already an SNHH volunteer who desired to explore a career in healthcare, but wasn’t sure which area. Wanting to step out of her comfort zone, she applied for the program. During a tour of the lab, she was inspired by similarities with her much-loved BioTech class. Ananya has signed up for another BioTech class this fall and is feeling confident in her decision to pursue a career in the lab.

Scott Cote, vice president Facilities and Emergency Management, used the poster presentation as a way to ask students if they were glad they attended.

“Every single one of them said ‘yes,'” said Cote.

Melissa Deering, Cote’s facilities operations manager, shared her story of growing into engineering leadership and gave the participants an inside tour.

“The Beyond the Stethoscope Program is another example of our commitment to developing the next generation of healthcare professionals,” said SNHH President and CEO Colin McHugh. “It is beyond encouraging to see our team members warmly embrace these young people into their work lives to give them real exposure to what it means to care for patients.”

During the program’s closing remarks, Lelievre said the students formed friendships and connections that never would have happened otherwise. Several students have committed to becoming regular members of the VolunTeen program at the Medical Center.