This July, seniors Pauline and Patric Young headed over to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for Camp CHLA. They put on their white coats and take in the smell of sterilized equipment, ready to experience the medical field from a professional’s perspective.
As regular volunteers at Methodist Hospital, the Young twins were on the search for opportunities to further their medical knowledge when they stumbled upon Camp CHLA. It was a five day camp that allowed high school students to explore healthcare careers by observing presentations, participating in the daily activities of medical professionals, and shadowing doctors from various fields.
“I realized that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity that aligned with my interests,” Patric Young said. “It was a very selective process and I understand how lucky it was for me to be able to attend camp. It was clear to me that shadowing doctors from various fields would help to clarify what I personally wanted to do in the medical field.”
A regular day at the camp consisted of listening to presentations from the medical staff, doing hands-on activities and bonding with other aspiring students. They were also granted access to observe live surgeries and participate in clinical labs that included performing CPR. At the end of the day, the campers reconvened and discussed what they learned and how they felt about that day.
“The most memorable moment was during the fourth day when I shadowed the pediatrician Dr. Kuroki,” Pauline Young said. “She showed me a series of global patients with all the same illness that flew into CHLA. I got to meet all the patients on her floor and it was truly an eye opening experience.”
Both Pauline and Patric knew that they wanted to pursue a profession in the medical field, but after this in-depth experience they developed a clearer vision.
“I was able to decide what I wanted to do in the future,” Patric Young said. “The presentations given by the physician and the pediatrician buttressed my desire to pursue those two professions.”
Pauline wants to become a pediatrician specializing in endocrinology, which involves the study of all the glands related to hormones. Similarly, Patric is leaning towards becoming a physician or pediatrician.
“The program was offered at no cost at all,” Pauline Young said. “I’m really glad that there is a nonprofit organization out there focused primarily on letting high school students acquire knowledge and experience. This is a memory I greatly cherish and I definitely recommend this to anyone interested in pre-med.”
TCHS School Newspaper