MIDWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Health Careers Institute for High School Students
SAMPLE Schedule of Activities
Thursday – Day 1
9:00-9:45 AM
Group Introductions and Welcome to MWU – Agave 118 & 122
Presented by Karen Mattox, Assistant Director, Communications
9:45-10:45
Health Careers and You – Cholla C
Presented by Alan Schalscha, D.O., Clinical Assistant Professor, Family
Medicine
10:45-11:30
Introduction to Medical Terminology/Anatomy – Agave 118 & 122
An interactive review of anatomy words and medical terminology.
Presented by Kendra Ibrahim, MWU Physician Assistant Student
11:30-12:30
LUNCH – Barrel Cafeteria
12:30-3:30
Surgical Skills: The Basics – Glendale 102, 133, 135, 136
Learn about careers in surgery and basic surgical skills, including
gowning/scrubbing in, suturing, and more.
Presented by David Parrack, D.O., Chair, Surgery and Anesthesia; Alan
Newhoff, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor; Michael French, Medical Student
3:30-4:00
Advisory Group Orientation – Agave 118, 122
Coordinated by MWU student advisors
Friday – Day 2
9:00–10:00
10:00-11:00
Anatomy & Medical Terminology: Muscles – Agave 118 & 122
Presented by Amanda Powers, MWU Physician Assistant Student
Nurse Anesthesia: Healthcare’s Best Kept Secret – Ocotillo 103
An overview of careers in nurse anesthesia. Learn how an anesthesia machine
works and how to intubate a mannequin.
Presented by Guy Caraffa, CRNA, Clinical Coordinator, CRNA Program
Life in the ER: Topics in Emergency Medicine – Ocotillo 106
Discover the day-to-day functions of an emergency medicine physician,
including exciting case examples.
Presented by Chip Finch, D.O., Chair, Integrated Medicine
11:00-12:00
Switch groups. Same as above.
12:00-1:00
LUNCH – Barrel Cafeteria
1:00-2:30
Osteopathic Medicine Overview & Lab – Agave OMM Room 115
History & principles of osteopathic medicine. Learn to utilize touch as a
diagnostic/treatment tool.
Presented by MWU Medical Students
2:30-3:30
How Your Brain Works – Agave 118 & 122
Presented by Ross Kosinski, Ph.D., Professor of Anatomy, Dean of Student
Services
3:30-4:00
Advisory Groups – Agave 118 & 122
Monday – Day 3
9:00-9:30
9:30-10:30
Anatomy & Medical Terminology: Bones, Part I – Agave 118 & 122
Presented by Erynn Kay, MWU Physician Assistant Student
Podiatric Medicine Overview & Lab – Sahuaro MDL 201 & 208
Understand career options in podiatric medicine, practice examining the lower
extremity, and conduct suturing and noninvasive vascular labs.
Presented by Lance Wissman, D.P.M., Associate Professor, Arizona Podiatric
Medicine Program
Careers in Dental Medicine – Glendale Hall Simulation Lab
Interested in becoming a dentist? Learn about dental school, and career options in
dentistry, then try your hand in the new dental simulation lab.
Presented by Bob Hasel, D.D.S., Associate Professor and Pre-clinical Faculty
Director, College of Dental Medicine
10:30-11:30
Switch groups. Same as above.
11:30-12:30
LUNCH – Barrel Cafeteria
12:30-1:30
Physical Therapy in Motion– Glendale 102
Learn about careers in the PT field, try out some PT equipment, and learn
different assessment and therapy techniques. Come prepared to move!
Presented by Debbie Bierwas, P.T., D.P.T., Director of Clinical Education and
Instructor; Donald Shaw, P.T., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Physical Therapy;
and Judy Woehrle, P.T., Ph.D., Program Director
Vital Signs and Other Medical Skills – Ocotillo Exam Rooms
Learn to take blood pressure and pulse rate, listen to heart & lungs, and more.
Presented by MWU Medical and Physician Assistant Students
1:45-2:45
Switch groups. Same as above.
3:00-4:00
Advisory Groups & Ice Breaker – Agave 118 & 122
Presented by Mylanie Facelo, Medical Student
Tuesday – Day 4
9:00-9:30
9:30-10:30
Anatomy & Medical Terminology: Bones, Part 2 – Agave 118 & 122
Presented by Erynn Kay, MWU Physician Assistant Student
Pharmacy Lab: The Many Roles of a Pharmacist – Cholla Pharmacy Lab
Discover the many career paths available to pharmacists, including the role of the
pharmacist in proper medication management and opportunities in
pharmaceutical research. Practice activities in the pharmacy lab. Please wear
closed-toe shoes.
Presented by Bill Bowman, Ph.D., RPh, Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical
Sciences; and Dawn Knudsen, Pharm.D., Assistant Professor, Pharmacy
Practice
The Human Body: A Visit to the Anatomy Lab – Agave Anatomy Lab
View a human heart, arm, brain, and other anatomical parts in medical school
anatomy lab. No actual dissection involved.
Presented by Jeff Plochocki, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Anatomy; and Michael
Bodeen, M.H.P.E., Senior Research Technician, Anatomy
10:30-11:30
Switch groups. Same as above.
11:30-12:30
LUNCH – Barrel Cafeteria
12:30-3:30
iStan Case Scenarios – Ocotillo Exam Rooms
Watch a patient-provider encounter featuring a life-like robot that will simulate a
typical case in a hospital emergency department. This is the same type of robot
featured on a recent episode of Grey’s Anatomy!
Presented by Mark Speicher, Ph.D., Assistant Dean, AZCOM; and Kevin
Lohenry, M.P.A.S., PA-C, Program Director, Physician Assistant Program
SOAP Notes & Prescription Writing - Ocotillo 101
Presented by Kendra Ibrahim, MWU Physician Assistant Student
Intubation – Ocotillo F
Presented by David Freestone and Steve Lyon, MWU Medical Students
Clinical XRAY Images – Ocotillo G
Presented by Jim Roch, M.P.A.S., PA-C, Assistant Professor, MWU PA Program
Heart Sounds: What Makes You Tick? – Ocotillo 108
Presented by James Meyer, M.D., Associate Professor, MWU PA Program
3:30-4:00
Advisory Groups – Agave 118 & 122
Wednesday – Day 5
8:30 AM-4:00 PM Field Trip to Arrowhead Hospital (Glendale)*
*Includes new CCC/ CPR Training
Thursday – Day 6
9:00–9:30
Anatomy & Medical Terminology: Heart & Lungs – Agave 118 & 122
Presented by Amanda Powers, MWU Physician Assistant Student
9:30-11:00
Occupational Therapy Lab: Skills for the Job of Living – Ocotillo 106
What does an occupational therapist do? Understand career options and visit the
lab to simulate disabilities & injuries and utilize adaptive equipment to improve
patient function.
Presented by MWU students and Christine Merchant, M.A., OTR/L, Associate
Director, Occupational Therapy
Venipuncture/Blood Typing Lab – Sahuaro MDL 201, 208
Practice the art of phlebotomy (drawing blood) and learn to type blood and apply
your findings to patient case studies. (Note: both blood activities are simulation
only - no actual blood involved).
Presented by Bettie Coplan, M.P.A.S., PA-C, Instructor, Physician Assistant
Studies; and Kendra Ibrahim, MWU Physician Assistant Student
11:00-12:30
Switch groups. Same as above.
12:30-1:30
LUNCH – Barrel Cafeteria
1:30-2:15
Cardiovascular Perfusion Overview & Lab – Ocotillo 108, 109
Learn the perfusionist’s role in open-heart surgery, view a working heart and
lung machine, and watch a computer-simulated procedure.
Presented by Jon Austin, M.A.Ed.,CP, Director, Cardiovascular Science
Program & Ed Evans, M.A., CP, Assistant Professor, Cardiovascular Science
Medical Ethics Case Discussions – Ocotillo 101
An interactive discussion on current issues in healthcare. Your chance to be
heard!
Presented by Greg Loeben, Ph.D., Associate Professor/Coordinator, Bioethics
2:15-3:00
Switch groups. Same as above.
3:00-4:00
Advisory Groups – Agave 118 & 122
Friday – Day 7
9:00-9:30 AM
Group Photo/ Advisory Groups – Agave 118 & 122
9:30-10:30
Psychiatry & Clinical Psychology: Positive Mental Health – Glendale Hall
133
Learn about career options in psychiatry and psychology, understand different
kinds of assessment tests used, and hear interesting case studies.
Presented by Philinda Hutchings, Ph.D., ABPP, Professor and Director, Clinical
Psychology Program; Michael Stumpf, M.D., Clinical Associate Professor,
Integrative Medicine; and Deborah Lewis, Ph.D., Professor and Director of
Clinical Training
10:30-11:30
Optometry: The Magic of Vision – Glendale Hall 133
Learn about career options in optometry, try out visual assessment activities, and
watch how your eyes can play tricks!
Presented by Donald Jarnagin, O.D., MWU Clinic-Optometry; Victoria
Kimberlin, Optometry Clinic Manger; Hector Santiago, O.D., Ph.D., Dean,
MWU-Arizona College of Optometry
11:30-12:30
MEDICAL JEOPARDY – Agave 118 & 122
Presented by MWU Medical Students
12:30-1:00
LUNCH – Barrel Cafeteria
1:00-2:00
Insider’s Guide to Getting into Medical School – Ocotillo E
Hear firsthand from Admissions experts on what helps (and what hurts!) your
chances of getting into health professions programs. Learn tips for interviewing,
MCAT preparation, application writing, and planning ahead, both for
undergraduate and graduate programs.
Presented by Krista Ross, M.A., Admissions Counselor, and Susana Torres,
Admissions Counselor
2:00-3:00
Careers in Neuroscience/ the Science of Drug Addiction – Ocotillo E
Learn about the biomedical effects of drugs, career opportunities in neuroscience,
and fascinating brain facts.
Presented by Jim Stoehr, Ph.D., Professor, College of Health Sciences
3:00-4:00
Advisory Groups – Agave 118 & 122
Saturday - Day 8
9:00-9:30
Advisory Groups – Ocotillo 106
9:30-11:30
Glendale Fire Dept: Mock Emergency Response - Ocotillo E
An overview of fire department emergency response procedures. Mock rescue
scenario will incorporate teachings throughout the week.
Presented by Matt Graner, EMS Division Captain, Glendale Fire Department
11:30-12:30
Program Evaluations/Advisory Groups – Ocotillo 106
12:30-2:00
OPEN HOUSE RECEPTION for Friends & Family – Ocotillo G
 Buffet Lunch
 Welcome/ MWU Overview
 Slide Show
 Student Group Presentations
 Open House: Exam Rooms, Vital Signs