Several of Ms. Tammy Freeman’s students shadowed at various hospitals in the area over the summer.

Saint Paul’s students gained a behind-the-scenes look at how each hosiptal operates as well as insider knowledge in the medical field.

Of the many Saint Paul’s students who participated, three of them volunteered at North Oaks Health System. Aryan Kumar, Max Gremillion, and Lawton Peltier had the chance to learn about what happens inside the medical center. 

Being the selected students to attend this junior program is an honor of itself, for shadowing a medical professional can spark interest in the medical field and make connections that could become beneficial down the line.

Ms. Tammy Freeman, the HOSA director of Saint Paul’s School, commends the achievements of her students. “I’m incredibly proud of these guys for taking the initiative to further their medical knowledge by gaining experience.” 

Taking part in this program not only helps the health care workers grow but also makes an impact on the community of which the volunteers served. The countless hours they spent learning allowed them to effectively practice the skills they learned. 

Volunteer responsibilities may include, but not limited to, answering phones, transporting patients and equipment, delivering flowers, stocking supplies, performing various clerical duties, and helping in various other departments.

North Oaks hosts this program every year, and it brings in many students that look forward to learning what happens inside the medical center. Many students who participate in this program go on to lead careers in the medical field.

HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) is a career and technical student organization for students planning to pursue health professions. The organization has chapters in six states and garners around 6,000 kids annually. 

Saint Paul’s junior Aryan Kumar attended the International Leadership Conference hosted by HOSA. He qualified to compete in the Clinical Laboratory Science event by winning first place at the state level at SLC in March. 

Aryan has been a gold honor roll student his entire academic career at Saint Paul’s School. Gold honor roll is earning A’s in every class and having a 4.0 gpa every nine weeks. This is not an easy task and he works very hard to achieve this goal. 

“I have had this goal since I started my time at Saint Paul’s,” Aryan stated.

Saint Paul’s senior Steven Meyers completed four weeks of shadowing health professionals, conducting research, and presenting lab findings with the Ochsner STAR program. The STAR Program is not easy to get accepted into nor is it easy to apply for. 

Meyers earned an embroidered lab coat, 130 service hours, multiple awards, and even witnessed a full heart transplant. His experience with Ochsner was one he will take with him for the rest of his life. This was a great achievement for Meyers and hopefully he will become a part of the medical field himself.

HOSA actively promotes career opportunities in the health industry and improves the distribution of quality health care towards all people.

Ultimately, Ms. Freeman’s HOSA club and the good they do represent a great opportunity for the Saint Paul’s community.