A group of Charlottesville High School students are getting an early start on the road to being doctors, nurses and medical professionals as part of a pilot project with University of Virginia Medical Center.
Fifty Charlottesville High School students took part in a White Coat Ceremony Thursday afternoon. The ceremony was a symbolic step that could have a major impact on the future of healthcare in Central Virginia.
The students are part of the medical sciences club at Charlottesville High School. They are working with doctors, nurses, and medical professionals from UVA Medical Center to get a first-hand look at what their careers are all about.
UVA pre-med and medical students will spend the year mentoring the students in science courses and problem solving.
Dr. Marcus Martin with the University of Virginia said about the mentoring, "All of the sudden the excitement rises when students have the opportunity to visit the hospital or to visit the nursing school, or to see a procedure, or go into the simulation lab."
The high school students will work with the team from UVA on a series of educational activities throughout the year.
The program is being funded by a grant from the city of Charlottesville. The new program aims to keep young people engaged in the sciences.
The medical team will also work with CHS teachers to bring hands-on learning to their classrooms.
Reported by Keith McGilvery
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