Spepcial to The Eagle
The 2023 version of MASH Camp at Bradley County Medical Center was recently completed as the hospital hosted seven students from Warren High School and one from Rison High School for two weeks full of medical related activities that started on Monday, June 19 and ended on Friday, June 30.
MASH, which stands for Medical Applications of Science for Health, Camps are put on throughout a number of hospitals across Arkansas thanks to UAMS and Arkansas Farm Bureau. BCMC’s Labor and Delivery Nurse Manager Krissy Morrison and Emergency Department Nurse Manager Cheryl Wells took the lead for this year’s program as they have the last few years.
This year’s students from Warren included Alex Ayala, Ashlyn Crawford, Anna Mitchell, Adyson Rauls, MaCalia Thomas, Jolie Trussell, and Murphie Wilkinson. Rison High School’s Jared Saeler rounded out this year’s group.
The beginning of the camp started out with Alexee Chambers from Healing Chambers and included a visit from Kayla Gates of Gentiva Hospice. The last visitor of the day was Rick Beckner, RN, for a message about emergency preparedness, while the students had several educational activities led by Morrison and Wells along with a presentation from Tim Vandiver of the UAMS Stroke Program. The next day saw SouthArk faculty and students help with vital signs before a program from UAMS MASH Program Director Stephen Attebery. The day ended with a trip to Frazer’s Funeral Home in Warren and the UAM School of Nursing Simulation Lab with Dr. Brandy Haley.
Wednesday, June 21 started with a visit to Kids First in Warren with Jessica Griffin followed by hand hygiene and an introduction to medical records by BCMC’s Barbara Barnes-Saffel, RN, and Caleb Longoria, respectively. After lunch the students were in two different groups for presentations from BCMC Senior Care. One was a dementia simulation with Charlotte Clausen of the UAMS Center on Aging, while Brandy Files taught Nonviolent Crisis De-Escalation Tips. Thursday’s morning was spent in BCMC Surgery with the staff and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Jan Gorman before hearing from Mainline’s Dietitian. The day concluded with suturing from Anthony Rodriguez, APRN, of Mainline and a trip to the BCMC Rural Health Clinic.
The conclusion of week one started with a tour of the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership van that has information about workforce and training opportunities in healthcare. Next on the agenda was a hands-on experience with the BCMC Respiratory Department’s Stephanie Slaughter and Sharee Williams on intubation and an ultrasound demonstration from BCMC’s Leeanna Williams. After lunch the group had an extensive visit with Jimmy Plyler and Justin Starnes of the Arkansas State Police, followed by diabetic education from Karen Rawls, RN.
The next Monday the campers were able to visit Dr. Doug Mullins with the Monticello Animal Clinic due to the power outage in Warren and then took off to El Dorado for SouthArk’s Simulation Lab and Escape Room. The day ended with CPR and First Aid by Kasey Reep and Emily Harton. Tuesday began with the BCMC Outpatient Therapy Department at the Brunson Medical Complex with an injection lab from SouthArk faculty and students after. The students then heard from Alleyssa Horn of New Outlook Counseling and underwent Narcan Training put on at BCMC by the ARHP. Next up was a visit with BCMC’s Peer Recovery Specialist Samantha Johnson followed by an obstetrics experience with Dr. Kristen Dent, Jessica Dawson, and Jasmin Cruz Queriapa.
Tuesday evening was a very special experience for the campers as they were able to witness a vehicle extrication training exercise with the help of the Warren Fire Department, Warren Police Department, EASI, and BCMC emergency room team. Wednesday morning saw the campers perform animal heart dissections with Dr. Michelle Weaver followed by some time with BCMC Radiology and Dr. Shannon Turner of RAPA. Wednesday afternoon was full with a presentation from Buddy Boldon on biomedical engineering, a trip to the Brunson Medical Complex to meet with DaVita Dialysis, casting with Dr. Dichelle George, and a visit from the Warren Lions Club.
Thursday’s morning featured meetings with the BCMC Laboratory and Pharmacy Departments before a trip to the Donald W. Reynolds YMCA of Warren and Bradley County with a presentation by Stacie Stone. Tyler Turner of LifeTouch Hospice then spoke to the campers after lunch with more time with the lab and pharmacy to end the day.
The last day of the camp began with a very interesting meeting with Pafford AirOne about the helicopter and was followed by a trip to Dr. Bob Smalling’s office. The students then heard from BCMC’s EMR Coordinator Lauren Case, had lunch, and then had an awards ceremony for friends and family in the newly renovated BCMC Conference Room.
The BCMC MASH Committee consisted of Morrison, Wells, Jamie Wolfe, Brooke Hatch, Lisa Williams, Barbara Barnes-Saffel, Lee Taylor, and Dennen Cuthbertson. Volunteers throughout the two weeks included Amber White, Holly Curry, Cliff Moore, Candice Warner, Ashley Gilbert, Jessica Jones, Codi Temple, and Sydney Broome.
The BCMC MASH Committee would like to thank Union Bank, Timber Logistics, Interfor, Chapel Woods, LifeTouch Hospice, Cura, Kay Robinson, Selena Jacks (Anna Boo’s Florist and Gifts), Beverly and Charley Rauls, and Amanda Rauls for proving food and/or snacks during the camp.
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