Future surgeons of the lowcountry

Future surgeons, Charleston, SC 

If you don't have a good healthcare provider in years to come don't blame me! I had 37 of the lowcountry's brightest aspiring surgeons under my wing this evening and they didn't want to leave! Parents were waiting, I'd worked for twelve hours and this gang was still hungry for knowledge.

There is nothing more fun than teaching students who are eager to learn. This evening's session was part of the SCRUBS mentoring program and the Operating Room session is always a bit hit. Thanks to the staff who made it such a grand evening!

Bed time for me. 

Your future surgeons in training

SCRUBS U Surgical Careers

I've been missing in action as a blogger lately but not because I've been lazy. I've been on the run all week. Wednesday evening I welcomed your future surgeons and our operating room staffed introduced them to surgical techniques. What is more fun to practice on that chicken feet? They repaired tiny fractures with tiny screws.

There is nothing, I tell you, nothing better than teaching people who are eager to learn. I made them all promise to take care of "old lady Joan" when I came to see them as my surgeon in years to come and treat me kindly.

Something doesn't look right in this XRay

SCRUBS U - Imaging Careers

With roads out and traffic a mess we didn't know how many students would show up for our career evening on Imaging careers. Twenty four teenagers came this evening to learn about X Ray, Ultrasound, CT, Nuclear Medicine and MRIs. Thanks to the staff who worked a long day and still managed to keep the kids interested. Long day for all but nothing is more fun that watching students who are excited about learning.

This was a neat trick - those are the student's cell phones being X Rayed! Thanks Meredith!

Imaging that!

The power of the magnet!

I hosted a group of teenagers interested in careers in Imaging this evening. They got a glimpse of what the staff in MRI, X Ray, CT and Ultrasound do on a daily basis. A very patient lady let five groups of students see her baby on ultrasound.

Whenever it gets quiet in the MRI room I ask them to demonstrate the power of the magnet with a pair of scissor on a band just because I get such a kick out it. I learn something each time I do one of these career evenings. The staff in this area all seem to enjoy their jobs and each technologist thinks their equipment is the best. I suspect we sparked some career interest this evening. Thanks to the team in the Imaging Department at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital!

Future health care professionals from Ft. Dorchester High School

Imaging that!

SCRUBS U Imaging Careers, Charleston, S.C.

Our Imaging Department hosted thirty high school students interested in exploring careers last night. My friend Meredith always has some freaky X Ray images to show them and then X Rays their cell phones. Meredith is a talented photographer behind a regular camera as well.

Thanks to all the staff who stayed late to talk about their career tracks and show the students what their work involves. I expect they changed some career courses!

Through the ages

SCRUBS "U" Surgical Careers

It's been a busy couple of days, kids. From recognition of senior volunteers at the Charleston Rifle Club yesterday at lunch, listening to Lieutenant Governor Glen McConnell talk about Aging in Place in the Lowcountry at Charleston Landing in the evening, to hosting thirty teenagers interested in surgical careers in the Operating Room at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital tonight. I think I might sleep well.

PS: That is just a piece of roast beef. I promise! We like the students to feel what it is like to cut and cauterize flesh.

Retired volunteers who sew and knit at home, Charleston Rifle Club

Celebrating Aging in Place event, Charlestown Landing, Charleston, S.C.

Charleston view

Charleston, S.C.

We get so excited about views overlooking the peninsula because we have so few high rise buildings in Charleston. Isn't this glorious?

I hosted a career evening for students interested in Emergency Medical Services this evening at Roper Hospital. Besides the normal skills, ambulance ride etc. I had a special treat up my sleeve. I couldn't tell the students about it since I wasn't sure we could pull it off but we did. I took forty kids up to the roof of Roper Hospital and let them check out the helicopter and talk to the pilot and flight staff. I am not sure who was more excited - them or me!

I need to get to bed, kids. Late night tonight and long day tomorrow. G'night. 

Our future Physical Therapists

SCRUBS U, PT/OT/Speech Therapy

I hosted twenty five students interested in exploring Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy tonight. Good evening but I think it took me right through to my bed time. Yawn. Thanks to our dedicated staff for making it such a fun experience! There is nothing like letting kids learn about something they are really interested in. Magic.

The future of healthcare has a big grin!

SCRUBS "U", Roper Hospital

When the nurses at Roper Hospital told me I could register as many students as I wanted in an evening health career program for tonight, I was so happy not to have to turn them away I registered eighty students. What was I thinking? Ha! Happy chaos. Thanks to all the staff who worked the long day and gave these kids a taste of what it is like to be a nurse.

A special shout out to teachers from Dorchester Country Career and Technology School and Ashley Ridge High School.  The enthusiasm and dedication of these two teachers was infectious. They encouraged all their students to register and came with them. That is pretty impressive in my opinion. I know how precious evenings are. Thanks to everyone who made it a successful night.

 

 

 

November Blossoms

South Battery, Charleston, S.C.

I love it that we still have blossoms even though the weather has been cooler.  I rented the little kitchen house behind this home the first year I was in Charleston. It has been renovated since then and looks beautiful. It wasn't quite so fancy when we were there but we enjoyed living there very much.

I hosted thirty some eager students interested in learning about physical therapy, occupational and speech therapy as careers this evening. These career sessions I started a few years ago have become so popular kids compete to sign up as soon as they are announced and by the day after they are posted there is a waiting list. Our success has done us in. Thanks to the staff for opening the Rehab Gym at St. Francis and getting all the kids involved. It made for a long day but according to all the smiles, well worth it.

SCRUBS U Rehab Career Night at St. Francis Hospital

SCRUBS "U" Session - Nursing Careers

SCRUBS program, Roper Hospital, Charleston, S.C.

I may have over extended myself just a little this week. I half expect to meet myself coming and going. I ended the day at Roper Hospital where the nurses had let me register sixty students interested in exploring nursing as a career.

I host these programs at least quarterly on different career topics but this is the biggest session by far and thanks to Leah Willis and her staff I just kept piling them in. I never get tired of seeing students who are really excited about learning. This evening they learned about joint replacements, how to run a code, blood pressures, hand hygiene and toured a nursing unit.

It is all part of my selfish master plan to have good people around to take care of me when I am old.

I am off to crash in my bed folks. I think I am supposed to be up in North Charleston on a vision council meeting at Trident United Way early in the morning. Y'all turn the lights out.

She stole the show!

SCRUBS "U" Pediatrics, Charleston, S.C.

There is nothing as magical as teaching people who are hungry to learn. This evening was my SCRUBS "U" career program on Pediatrics hosted by Dr. Drew Baker and the amazing Women's & Children's staff at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital. No wonder they have won "Best Place to Have a Baby" for thirteen years in a row.

Thank you, thank you Kelly, Gene and Beth....and a special thanks to our darling model Katie born this morning and whose mom let her make a special appearance.