Hanford West High School Medical Academy Visits the CHSU Simulation Center

The California Health Sciences University (CHSU) Simulation Center welcomed students from Hanford West High School’s Medical Academy for a day of hands-on learning, rotating through stations where they learned various patient care skills.

These high school students, who plan to pursue a health care career, rotated through multiple stations including blood pressure checks, administering breathing treatments, performing CPR, inserting IVs into manikin arms, and holographic anatomy. At the end, they participated in a birthing simulation with CHSU’s childbirth simulator manikin.

“The most exciting thing we got to do was dealing with the manikins in the simulations because they blink, breathe and talk – and I wasn’t expecting them to talk,” said Vincent Hernandez, Hanford West High School Medical Academy student.

Hanford West’s Medical Academy launched in 2020 and over 280 students are currently enrolled in the four-year academy. Students begin the program in their freshman year, where they initially receive an introduction to medical careers. In their sophomore year they learn medical terminology and in their junior year, they pick one pathway to receive specialty education on that medical career. Students can choose one of nine career pathways including Medical Assistant, Nursing Assistant, Dental Assistant, Allied Health Assistant, Sports Medicine, Emergency Medical Responder, EKG/ECG Technician, Biotechnician, or Medical Lab Assistant.

High school students from all the Medical Academy’s specialties attended the hands-on learning session at the CHSU Simulation Center.

“In a high school, funding is limited and we’re not able to do as much as we can here at the CHSU Simulation Center, so this opportunity allows us to expose all of our students to what you’re teaching here through this outreach program,” said Rachel Bradley, Lead Teacher of the Hanford West High School Medical Academy.

CHSU medical students volunteered to help guide students through the simulations and provide feedback as they performed these tactical patient care skills. They also provided insight on what medical school is like and how students can set themselves up for success in medical school applications.

“I want to be a doctor, so I think this is a pretty cool experience. I want to work in the ER,” said Rylen Lastrella, Hanford West High School Medical Academy student.

This was the first time Hanford West High School students had the opportunity to experience the CHSU Simulation Center outside of a regular tour.

“This is something that I plan to coordinate every year because this is the perfect opportunity for them,” said Bradley.

To learn more about the Hanford High School Medical Academy, visit their website.