8/6/09

First LRCC SCRUBS Summer Camp Held

scrubs 2009 Photo: Lakes Region Community College (LRCC) SCRUBS participants, left to right, front to back, are Dr. Pat Wild (Gilford), Harriet Redmond (Gilford), Brooke Lilley (Belmont), Hannah Pearson (Laconia), Cassy Kimball (Laconia), Kaley Shepard (Franklin), Lauren Mecuri (Gilford), Emilee LaRoche (Gilford), Lindsey Essaff (Gilford), Andrew Derosia (Belmont), Walker Boles (Gilford), Linda Ferruolo (Gilford), and Susan Edelstein (Laconia). On the second row is Metro Aviation Pilot, Doug Moore (Lebanon); Nancy Maiorano (Gilford); Bryana Gillis (Franklin); Katarina Styles (Franklin); Maddie Blajda (Belmont); Hillory Gagne (Belmont); Kirsten Dionne (Gilford); Mollie Dignan (Gilford); Brooklynn Miller (Belmont); Spencer Schor (Gilford); and Tyler Rolfe (Belmont).
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Lakes Region Community College (LRCC) held its first- ever SCRUBS Summer Camp July 13 – 17. The Health Careers Camp at LRCC provided eighteen promising Lakes Region 7th and 8th grade students with opportunities to explore health careers, learn about health care in today's world, and experience college life.

"The primary purpose of the Camp is to help middle school students explore health career options," says LRCC Human Services Department Coordinator, Linda Ferruolo, the main coordinator of LRCC’s SCRUBS Camp. A committee was formed in February to explore the possibility of a SCRUBS Camp at LRCC. With a donation from LRCC’s Student Senate, SCRUBS became a reality.

The first day "campers" were introduced and went to Gilford Fire Department (GFD) where they experienced rigorous training in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) with Lt. Frank Latosek. Latosek was impressed with students’ enthusiasm and concentration throughout the day.

Tuesday brought Community Emergency Response Trainer (CERTS), Samantha Brann, to discuss home safety plans with "campers" in groups assisted by Pam Griffith, Ethie Ritson, and Mark Hardy. In the afternoon Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Sam Aldrich, held the attention of "campers" with operating room stories and a PowerPoint presentation. "Campers" then returned to GFD to learn more about what Emergency Medical Technicians do and followed an ambulance to Alpine Ridge in search of an injured hiker. "Jessica Jolin spent even more time explaining the process of carrying an injured person and students assisted extensively," continues Ferruolo.

Wednesday "campers" visited Summit Health in Belmont. SCRUBS students experienced massage, Yoga, and numerous restorative care endeavors with Summit Health staff members. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Robert MacDonald, entertained the group with animal antics and all of the reasons to become a veterinarian in the afternoon.

Thursday LRCC "campers" traveled to Lakes Region General Hospital touring the facility with staff members. In the afternoon a team Frisbee match, coached by LRCC admissions counselor, Rob Masse was held. Students then ate lunch in the College’s Nursing Lab and a quick lesson was held in casting broken bones by Orthopedic Professional Association team members, Tim O’Brien, Mary Routhier, and Tina Fullerton. Students casted various body parts and had the souvenirs to take home. "Campers" were then met by LRGH Franklin WALK NH representative, Melissa Rizzo, who discussed benefits of walking and "campers" took a hike around LRCC’s Prescott Hill campus. Medical illustrations were then explored with LRCC Fine Arts Professor, Dr. Pat Wild.

In the final day doctor’s prescriptions were counted out with M&M’s, assisted by Laconia Clinic Registered Pharmacist, Lisa Morgan. A trip was then made to the Gilford Middle High School where a Dartmouth Hitchcock Advanced Response Team (DHART) Helicopter, piloted by Doug Moore, Metro Aviation, landed suddenly in front of the SCRUBS "campers." They explored the inside of the craft used to transport individuals with critical injuries or life-threatening conditions. "Campers" then attended an awards ceremony where they received a Certificate of Completion, CPR card, stethoscope, and their very own "brain" (stress ball).

"The LRCC SCRUBS ‘campers’ enjoyed the many interesting medical professionals who volunteered their valuable time to share in the different areas of medicine where they work. It was a great week. Thanks to all," Ferruolo concludes.