HEALTH-FITNESS

Students get up close view of medical careers

Special to The Gazette
South Point High School Allied Science II Honors Class at the Birthplace at CaroMont Health. [PHOTO COURTESY OF GLORIA CALDWELL].

The Health Science II Honors class (pre nursing) at South Point High School shadowed medical staff at CaroMont Regional Medical Center for two weeks. Each day, students observed different areas of the hospital.

High schools in Gaston County offer Health Science courses that partner with CaroMont Health and allow students to observe and learn about many areas of the hospital.

These sites include medical units, surgical units, the emergency room, imaging center, X-ray department, pharmacy, laboratory, sterile supply, wellness and cardiac rehab.

"Just being in the hospital environment is an experience many of them have never had before," said Gloria Caldwell, allied health instructor at South Point.

Caldwell has worked for CaroMont for 33 years.

"This unique opportunity gives students a wonderful chance to make an informed decision on a medical career choice as they enter college," she said. "Many of them are planning to enter nursing school, but some are still undecided. This experience gives them a chance to see many medical career opportunities."