Louisiana Tech University welcomed 89 seventh- and eighth-grade students from five area schools to Get Into the Guts of Healthcare, providing an interactive introduction to healthcare careers through hands-on activities and conversations with medical professionals.
The event brought together healthcare professionals, University faculty and students, and regional industry partners to help students explore career opportunities, learn about education and training requirements, and discover pathways into the growing healthcare industry.
Participating students represented A.E. Phillips Laboratory School, Cedar Creek School, D’Arbonne Woods Charter School, Jonesboro-Hodge, and Simsboro.
Faculty and students from Louisiana Tech’s College of Applied and Natural Sciences (CANS) played an integral role in the event, leading demonstrations and introducing students to academic programs and career opportunities in nursing, nutrition, health informatics and information management (HIIM), medical laboratory science (MLS), speech-language pathology, and audiology.
“Introducing students to the many opportunities available in healthcare at an early age can have a lasting impact on their educational and career paths,” said Jamie Newman, dean of Louisiana Tech’s College of Applied and Natural Sciences. “Events like this allow young students to see firsthand how science, technology, and compassion come together to make a difference in people’s lives. We are proud to work alongside our community and educational partners to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals.”
Jessica Duncan of Louisiana Tech’s Division of Nursing coordinated the event alongside Audra Mahoney, support lead for education and training, and Terri Mitchell, convener of the Northeast Louisiana Healthcare Alliance.
Through hands-on activities, students explored the many roles healthcare professionals play in patient care, from diagnosing and treating medical conditions to supporting communication, nutrition, and health information management.
Louisiana Tech faculty and staff representing the Division of Nursing included Sarah McVay, Tanya Sims, Ronita Calhoun, Brittany Killins, Ashley Bridges and Denise Pyles. Heather McKenzie and Kaylan Hebert represented the nutrition program.
Meredith Magee, Michelle Martin, and Lindsey Carswell represented HIIM, while Shawn Moss and Misty Falting represented speech-language pathology and audiology.
Medical laboratory science students Zoe Smeltzer, Raylon Larry, and Michaela Griffith also assisted with event activities, working alongside MLS faculty from the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) to demonstrate the important role laboratory professionals play in healthcare.
Students explored a range of additional healthcare fields through participating organizations. Unitech Training Academy introduced pharmacy technology, while ULM showcased physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical laboratory science, pharmacy and nursing. St. Francis Medical Center highlighted graduate medical education, and Ochsner LSU Health Monroe introduced students to respiratory therapy.
The event underscored the importance of collaboration among educational institutions, healthcare providers, and workforce development organizations in preparing future professionals to meet the region’s healthcare needs. Planning and educational partners included the Northeast Louisiana Healthcare Alliance, Workforce Development Board 83, Louisiana Works, Louisiana Tech, ULM, Unitech Training Academy and Ochsner LSU Health Monroe.
Additional support came from Northeast Louisiana Physicians Hospital Organization (NELA PHO), St. Francis Medical Center and Lincoln Community Health Center, which helped sponsor meals for participants.
Louisiana Tech’s involvement reflects CANS’ commitment to experiential learning, community engagement and preparing the next generation of professionals to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare industry.