For the third consecutive year, Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest (COMP-Northwest), which is in the process of transitioning to its new name, the Heatherington College of Osteopathic Medicine, served as the site for the Oregon Pacific Area Health Education Center (AHEC) summer camp. Organized by Oregon Pacific AHEC, the four-day program provided high school students with an immersive, hands-on introduction to careers in health care and the study of medical science. COMP-Northwest supported the event by providing facilities, materials, and volunteer assistance.
The Oregon Pacific AHEC is part of a national initiative that seeks to address disparities in health care by improving the distribution, diversity, and quality of the workforce in rural and underserved communities. By building bridges between academic institutions and local organizations, AHEC programs aim to strengthen the health care pipeline and foster a new generation of providers who understand the importance of community-based care.
The summer camp, coordinated by Oregon Pacific AHEC Director Jaime Montgomery and COMP-Northwest Assistant Professor of Population Health Science and Community Health Co-Chief Jeannie Davis, EdD, was designed to bring that mission to life. Over the course of four days, high school students from Lebanon, Albany, Scio, Salem, and even as far as California engaged in a wide variety of activities meant to inspire, educate, and empower them to envision their own futures in medicine.
Each day of the camp offered new opportunities for students to experience what life in health care might look like. On campus, participants performed ultrasounds, explored imaging technology, toured the state-of-the-art Simulated Medicine and Readiness Training (SMaRT) Lab, and even conducted fetal pig dissections to gain a deeper understanding of anatomy. Students from WesternU’s College of Health Sciences-Northwest also led an engaging session on physical therapy, explaining the educational pathway and day-to-day realities of the profession.
Dr. Jeannie Davis emphasized the value of these interactive sessions. "During the OMM (Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine) session, the medical students worked together to tell the high school students what they’ve been learning in class. It was pretty fascinating, and the students actually got to get up and kind of look at body structure and function," shared Dr. Davis. "They partnered the kids up together to see if their shoulders were aligned or to look at their gait. It was very active, very hands-on, and very interesting. The kids thought it was neat that the medical students were kind of learning with them. There were a lot of giggles."
The summer camp’s success extended well beyond the WesternU campus, thanks to strong partnerships throughout the community. At Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC), students learned about health care programs such as nursing, diagnostic imaging, and dental assisting. They also had the chance to explore cutting-edge imaging software used in real-world medical environments.
The Lebanon Fire District provided a Stop the Bleed training, giving every participant the chance to earn a one-year certification. At Lebanon Community Hospital, students observed lab operations in chemistry, hematology, and pathology, seeing firsthand how diagnostic testing contributes to patient care.
These experiences helped paint a comprehensive picture of health care as a multifaceted field that requires collaboration, compassion, and continuous learning.
In addition to the professionals leading the camp, several COMP-Northwest and Oregon State University pre-med students volunteered their time to mentor participants. Second-year COMP-Northwest student Jessica Meechan volunteered all four days and reflected on how meaningful the experience was.
"I enjoyed just interacting with the high schoolers and talking about their interests and what they want to go into," said Meechan. "It was fun to just kind of connect with them. When I was in high school, there was no medical school nearby, so I never went to a summer camp at a medical school, let alone learned or did workshops with medical students. So, it was fun to be able to connect with them like this."
This kind of mentorship is at the heart of the AHEC mission, creating opportunities for students to learn from those just a few steps ahead on their own health care journeys.
One of the defining aspects of the Oregon Pacific AHEC summer camp is its accessibility. Thanks to state and federal grants, the program is completely free for participants. Each student receives lunch daily, a T-shirt, and a bag filled with supplies to practice taking vital signs at home.
Montgomery noted that these supplies have already made a real impact. "Some of the students I’ve actually seen after the camp during the summer, and apparently those bags have been very handy. One of our students is an EMR (Emergency Medical Responder) at the fire department, and he’s got the bag hanging in his fire rack with all his supplies. It’s fun to see him get out on a medical call and know what he’s doing," said Montgomery.
The camp concluded with a particularly moving experience: attending WesternU’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) White Coat Ceremony on August 1. For many of the high school students, witnessing this milestone in a medical student’s journey was unforgettable.
"It was really powerful. As soon as it started, phones were in pockets and they were just like, ‘this is the coolest thing to watch, because you can see all the first-year medical students and how this is the coolest moment of their life when they walk out.’ So, the high schoolers thought it was pretty special to be able to come and watch," said Montgomery.
Programs like the Oregon Pacific AHEC summer camp represent more than just an educational experience; they are a critical investment in the future of rural and community-based health care. By introducing young people to the many paths available within the medical field, WesternU COMP-Northwest and Oregon Pacific AHEC are helping to ensure that the next generation of providers is not only skilled and knowledgeable but also passionate about serving where they are most needed.
For the high schoolers who attended, the camp was more than a summer activity. It was a first step toward a lifetime of learning, compassion, and impact in the world of health care.
