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East Texas high school students learn about health care field during three-day AHEC camp held at SFA

University Marketing Communications
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November 28, 2016
Camp director Mavis Yarbrough works with Groveton and Lufkin ISD students on an earthquake response simulation project

Camp director Mavis Yarbrough works with Groveton and Lufkin ISD students on an earthquake response simulation project during the Piney Woods Region branch of Texas Area Health Education Center East’s fall 2016 Health Career Camp. Held Nov. 15-17 on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus, the camp aims to provide an opportunity for East Texas students aspiring to join the health care field to learn about the industry.


NACOGDOCHES, Texas — High school students from Groveton and Lufkin ISDs recently participated in the Piney Woods Region branch of Texas Area Health Education Center East’s fall 2016 Health Career Camp.

“Most of the participants are first-generation college students, and their questions focused on scholarships, degree requirements and competition for entry into our nursing program,” said Debbie Kiesel with AHEC. “One student even asked what a dean’s job responsibilities entail after listening to Dr. Kimberly Childs, dean of SFA’s College of Sciences and Mathematics. We think the camp went very well!”

Held Nov. 15-17 on the Stephen F. Austin State University Campus, the camp’s goal was to provide aspiring health career students with an opportunity to learn about careers in public health, to shadow professionals who work in several health care facilities, and to learn more about related academic programs and resources available at SFA.

“Our event was educational, not recruiting-oriented, but I think it accomplished both things,” Kiesel said. “I know Dr. Childs’ presentation on the soon-to-be-built Ed and Gwen Cole STEM building, including the architect’s rendering, caused a lot of buzz. Then students toured campus, interacted with faculty and staff members, and tackled a final project to demonstrate that they have the skills to complete a college-level assignment.”

Health professionals will judge student posters created on the final day of the camp during an event in March sponsored by AHEC. Scholarships will be awarded to students whose posters are selected by judges as the most informative and effective.