Summer enrichment Program

June 17-July 13, 2012

The Summer Enrichment Program is a four-week health careers residential camp hosted by the

University of Kentucky Area Health Education Center that allows students to ‘experience college

before college.’ It is for high school students who are seriously considering a college major leading

to a health profession. It provides an opportunity to learn about the variety of careers in health

professions and to learn some of the requirements for majors leading to a health career. Academic

course work is also part of the camp experience.

During the four weeks, students become familiar and comfortable with the University of Kentucky

campus and its facilities. Students accepted into the Program will spend six weeks observing and

learning from UK faculty, health professionals and health professions students. They will participate

in a structured educational curriculum and have various hands-on activities and clinical observation

opportunities. All of these are designed to teach students about health care professions. Participants

will learn first hand from faculty and students what it takes to succeed as a health professions

student and will meet students currently enrolled in the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry,

Nursing, Health Sciences and Public Health. A unique highlight of the Summer Enrichment Program

is an informal ‘lunch and learn’ with the Dean from each of the health professions colleges.

This is an experience not many students will have during high school. In short, this is a unique

opportunity for the serious student to explore health careers and to prepare him or herself for the

transition to a university setting.

The primary focus of the Summer Enrichment Program is academic preparation. Students will

participate in a structured educational curriculum that includes lectures and labs in chemistry,

biology, anatomy and medical math. Students will interact with representatives from various health

care professions. During these segments, practicing health professionals or health professions

students will be on hand to discuss their profession and educational requirements. Some of these

segments will occur in a “lab” or “clinical” setting.

The focus of these activities will be to provide the student an opportunity to observe health care

professionals in a clinical setting. Students will be asked to list their five primary health career

interests and effort will be made to have students assigned to these clinical areas. Students are

encouraged to participate in a variety of clinical settings. The Minimal Invasive Surgery lab will

allow the student to experience UK’s non-invasive surgical training lab. Students will spend two

days experiencing the challenge of this training by performing some of the same techniques used

to train surgical residents. Schedule permitting, students will observe via Telemedicine, an actual

minimally invasive surgical procedure.

 High school students who are currently enrolled in 10th grade (sophomores).

A Selection Committee consisting of faculty and staff from UK and U of L AHEC offices, along with

Community faculty will carefully review each student’s application material.