Health Careers & High Adventure Post

The Health Careers & High Adventure (HC/HA) Post offered at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) Bradenton is a youth program designed to increase their awareness, encourage their choice, and enhance their preparation for a career in a health care field.  The HC/HA Post program closely links information sessions of career opportunities and preparedness by health care professional to actual hands on experiences within the healthcare field.  The hands on experiences include: anatomy lab explorations of human tissue and organs, healthcare facility tours, practical training in First Aid, CPR, Water Safety and Rescue, team building on a high ropes course, and culminating in an optional high adventure summer trip applying their newly acquired healthcare awareness and skills in an organized team adventure.

The HC/HA Post program is part of a Manatee County health careers development project, which is outlined in a Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) grant offered through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.  LECOM Bradenton is the lead applicant for the HCOP grant with strong community partner support and participation by the Manatee County School District, The Southwest Boy Scouts of America Council. Additional community partners include the Manatee Technical Institute, Keiser College, New College, USF at Sarasota-Manatee, and the Area Health Education Center.

GENERAL PROGRAM ACTIVITY

Post members will meet in the LECOM Bradenton auditorium.  Following a brief business meeting with announcements a health care profession will give a 30 minute presentation describing employment opportunities of a particular health care career, the typical day-to-day activities within the career field, and how to prepare academically and financially for the career.  For the remaining 1.5 h portion of the program, post members will participate in related hands-on activity, e.g. examining human tissue in the anatomy lab, acquiring skill training in First Aid and CRP, participating in a muscle/skeletal manipulation class. The CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES will provide for more details.

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY & REGISTRATION COST

Youths ages 14-18 and enrolled as a student within the Manatee County School District (one of the area high schools, home schooled, private schools or alternative schools) are eligible to enroll in the HC/HA Post. Students must show proof of good academic and behavioral standing within their respective academic program.  For purposes of insurance and the use of BSA owned camps, all Post members will be enrolled as Venture Scouts through the Southwest Florida BSA Council at a cost of $10.00.  A dress and conduct code will be implemented during all Post activities.

MEETING DATES, TIME & LOCATION

The Post will meet on the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm.  Most meetings will be held at LECOM Bradenton, which is located at 5000 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton, FL.  Several off site meetings to tour area medical facilities are also planned. An optional one week summer high adventure trip at a cost of ~$600 will be offered.  

CONTACT PERSON
For further information or to enroll, contact Dr. Russell C. Sexton at 941/782-5642 or e-mail HCHAP@lecom.edu.