Eighty-one high school and first-year college students came from across Georgia and Alabama to attend Scrubs Camp in Columbus, GA, in June and July. The Hughston Foundation, Three Rivers AHEC, Columbus Technical College, Columbus State University, Mercer University School of Medicine, and Valley Healthcare accommodated the students during the five-day summer camps, which are for students who have an interest in the medical field, especially orthopaedics, surgery, nursing, and rehabilitation.
Each student received his or her own scrubs top to wear to camp each day. In addition to tours of each facility and lectures, the students were able to experience many hands-on activities. Some of the speakers and topics covered during camp included, orthopaedic technologist, medical illustration, radiology, surgical nursing, surgical technologist, physician and medical residency programs, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic training. Additionally, the students enjoyed surgical technology in the operating room, dental hygienist, respiratory therapy, cardiology care, nursing, and obstetrics.
The Hughston Foundation hosted the program for two days. In the athletic training and rehabilitation component, students learned how to apply athletic tape to help prevent injuries. During the presentations, the students watched videos that show athletic injuries as they happened and how athletic trainers assist athletes immediately after an injury occurs. Medical professionals taught the students how casts are applied and how to fit different types of orthopaedic braces. They also saw a demonstration of rehabilitation techniques, made their own finger splints with the occupational therapists, and learned about concussions. The students especially enjoyed designing their own concussion prevention devise and testing its integrity.
Some of the most exciting activities they were able to do at the Hughston facility involved the knee structures. A surgeon discussed knee anatomy and demonstrated an arthroscopic procedure and open dissection using a cadaver knee. Additionally, they watched a total knee replacement surgery narrated by an orthopedic surgeon as he performed the surgery. The students were also able to try suturing techniques using pigskin in the Surgical Education Center. The students particularly enjoyed trying their hand at knee surgery using the arthroscopic knee simulators where they removed “loose bodies” from the knee and placing fracture plates and screws on broken bone models.
Another day of the camp took place at Columbus Technical College where students had the opportunity to learn about the different associate degrees that are available and had a chance to observe “real life” medical environments and scenarios. Respiratory simulators were used for the students to practice doing intubations. They toured the dental hygiene and assistant areas and learned about accurate measurements and making pill capsules in the pharmaceutical departments. Further, a cardiologist reviewed various heart sounds and students had a chance to practice with thoracic models.
Additionally, Columbus State University and Mercer School of Medicine spent a half day each with the students, providing them with an experience of college life. The students spent the day at the CSU nursing and health science facility and at Mercer’s new Columbus campus. Students were able to see the medical education opportunities offered and observe medical simulations in the both university laboratories.
On the fifth and last day of camp, the students spent the day at Valley Healthcare. Their unique experience included role-playing in dentistry, pharmacy, telehealth, and vision testing, and the students participated in mental health activities. After a brief introduction to each station, the students were able to run standard bloodwork on themselves to learn how to diagnose issues. Also, students were able to learn and participate in cleaning and filling teeth on practice models.
The camp received excellent reviews from the students who participated. The camp sponsors include Hughston Clinic and Foundation, Three Rivers AHEC, Columbus Technical College, Columbus State University, Mercer University School of Medicine, and Valley Healthcare. Aflac Foundation, Renasant Bank, Synovus, and VCOM sponsored the lunch and learn programs. Student Scholarships were sponsored by Hughston physicians, community physicians, and Three Rivers AHEC.
Last edited on March 13, 2025