A new program at Ohio University aims to spark interest in healthcare careers among middle schoolers in Dublin, Ohio. Called BeCOMe U, it targets seventh and eighth graders to introduce them to medicine and osteopathic care.
In its first year, BeCOMe U pairs students with medical student mentors and gives them hands-on experience in places like the anatomy lab. They get to practice in clinical simulation rooms that look like real examination spaces.
Students meet monthly during the summer and continue with fall and spring sessions. They also receive newsletters featuring stories from medical students about their journeys and challenges in the field. Terry Porter, co-founder of the program, emphasizes the importance of engaging middle schoolers. “It’s a time when kids think about careers. We want them to see their potential,” she says.
The program collaborates with OhioHealth Doctors Hospital and the Made for Medicine initiative, which teaches younger students about medical concepts. Two former students from Heritage College helped establish BeCOMe U to build on what Made for Medicine started.
With about 30 students in its first cohort, BeCOMe U is currently piloted in Dublin, with hopes of expanding to other campuses in Athens and Cleveland. This initiative complements the college’s Medical Academy, which prepares high school juniors and seniors for careers in health. The academy offers a summer camp and quarterly activities to help students develop clinical skills.
According to recent studies, kids exposed to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields at a young age are more likely to pursue those careers. Engaging middle schoolers in healthcare can shape their future paths and create a physician workforce that reflects the communities they come from.
Porter highlights the long-term vision: “We want to guide these students all the way to their white coats.” This commitment can help build not just a talented workforce, but also a diverse one that meets the healthcare needs of various communities.
For more on healthcare initiatives and educational programs, you can check resources from the American Medical Association.
