Students hoping to one day go into the medical field received the opportunity to explore the option and see what it would be like if they were to choose to study it in college this past summer.
At Wednesday's Loyalsock Township School Board meeting, Alexander Haefner, a Loyalsock Township High School junior, spoke to the board about his experience at the University of Pittsburgh Health Career Scholars Academy and how it has helped him plan his future.
There were 110 students involved in the program from Pennsylvania, Arizona, Ohio and Texas.
"We basically learned about doctors and how they interact with others," Haefner said.
He explained that during the monthlong program the participants had a full day as they attended lectures, classes and job shadowed medical professionals.
Participants would listen to the professionals as they spoke about different health topics. Haefner also took two classes, which he was able to choose.
In order to see what the health field is up close, the participants also had two shadow days, where they would go out with a medical professional and see what they do on a day-to-day basis.
Haefner said his first day was with a certified registered nurse anesthesist. Although he said he wasn't "thrilled" when he found out he would be observing a colonoscopy, he said he actually learned a lot from the experience.
But throughout everything Haefner said the entire program taught him a lot.
"It was an overall life-changing experience," he said.
Haefner said he learned more about the diversity of the world and also how to live on his own. He noted how he now appreciates his parents, after having to do laundry and managing his own time.
"There were no parents to say, 'Did you do your homework?' " he told the board.
Karen Narkevic, director of the program, said each student was responsible for writing a research paper and a reflective journal.
After spending time in children's hospital, Haefner said he now wants to work in pediatrics.
