Howard Payne University hosted the first annual Health Science Enrichment Workshop (HSEW) this past summer. The two-day program was sponsored by the Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) and provided participating high school juniors and seniors hands-on learning opportunities on the HPU campus and onsite at Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood.

Through health care simulations, the participants received instruction in suture/staple removal, basic EKG interpretation and emergency resuscitation. Through science labs, they performed DNA extraction and anatomy dissections. Students also earned their Stop the Bleed® certification, which was presented to them by Dr. Laci Sutton, dean of HPU’s School of Nursing, professor of nursing and co-director of HSEW.

(In the photo:  Dr. Laci Sutton co-led HPU’s first annual Health Science Enrichment Workshop.)

HPU’s School of Nursing and School of Science and Mathematics organized the event. Along with Dr. Sutton, the program was co-led by Dr. Kristen Hutchins. She is the dean of the School of Science and Mathematics, professor of biology and JAMP faculty director at HPU.

“Dr. Sutton and I are excited to work together in supporting high school students interested in a healthcare profession,” said Dr. Hutchins. “This workshop provided excellent opportunities for them to expand their knowledge and skills on the HPU campus and spend time in a healthcare field of their interest.”

An important aspect of HSEW was the opportunity for students to shadow and network with healthcare professionals at Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood, which gave them exposure to a variety of career paths.

“Hendrick Health was a significant partner in making the first annual Health Science Enrichment Workshop a success,” said Dr. Sutton. “We are thankful for the partnership with Hendrick Health in supporting students during their educational journey.”

High school juniors and seniors attended HPU’s first annual Health Science Enrichment Workshop. Pictured on the back row are, from left, Kailey Patterson (Early High School), Emma Ewen (Early High School), Colton Stewart (Brownwood High School), Sidney Windham (Brownwood High School) and Desteny Mendoza (Brownwood High School). On the front row are, from left, Bethany Blair (Zephyr High School), Kierston Taylor (Early High School), Jazzmyn Sanchez (Brownwood High School) and Harmonie Pittman (Early High School).

Dr. Sutton and Dr. Hutchins are eager to organize HSEW for summer 2024.

For more information about HPU’s School of Nursing, visit www.hputx.edu/nursing. For more information about HPU’s School of Science and Mathematics, visit www.hputx.edu/scienceandmath.