Published February 27, 2024
CAPTION: Students from Neville and Wossman High Schools, as well as high schools in Richland Parish, pose with staff ULM TRiO Educational Talent Search and Ochsner LSU Health. The students participated in National Job Shadowing Day on February 1, 2024.
MONROE, LA – A select group of sophomores from Neville and Wossman High Schools and Richland Parish
celebrated National Job Shadowing Day on Thursday, February 1, by touring Ochsner
LSU Health – Monroe Medical Center, courtesy of the ULM TRiO Educational Talent Search
Program.
Hospital staff spoke to the group about relevant topics, including Nursing, Tobacco
Cessation, Pharmacy, Radiology and Imaging, Lab and Pathology, and Ochsner Opportunities.
Then students spent extended time touring and job-shadowing in several departments,
including Pharmacy, Radiology, and Lab. Lunch was served and students enjoyed a variety
of hands-on STEM activities by rotating through five different STEM stations. These
activities included looking through a microscope, tobacco cessation techniques, sorting
and counting “pills” (Skittles), checking blood pressure, and applying tourniquets
and constricting bands to stop and slow bleeding. All of the students learned the
importance of protecting patients’ privacy via HIPAA compliance. Each student completed
an evaluation of the day’s experiences.
Neville High sophomore Jeniyah Graham stated, “One thing I loved about this day was
the speech about nursing. It really encouraged me to want to become a future nurse
or to do mammograms.”
“In the midst of a shortage of healthcare professionals across multiple specialties,
it is wonderful to host young people who are interested in exploring careers in the
healthcare field,” said Beverly Lewis, MPA, BSN, RN, and Director of Economic Development
& Community Initiatives at Ochsner. “Our Ochsner LSU Health Monroe team members were
excited to share their knowledge and enjoyed spending time with the STEM students,
and we look forward to witnessing their future success.”
The group ended the day with treats at Marble Slab Creamery in Monroe before returning
to their respective schools.
ULM TRiO Educational Talent Search is a federally funded college-access program whose
mission is to increase the number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete
high school and enroll in and complete their postsecondary education. ULM TRiO ETS
has been assisting area students for more than 35 years. For more information about
Talent Search, contact Mrs. Debbie Upshaw at (318)342-1094, or visit https://www.ulm.edu/research/trio/talent_search.html
