GAINESVILLE, TX – North Texas Medical Center’s Student Medical Experience Program wrapped up in July with 36 high school and college students gaining experience in several healthcare-related fields.
The 36 students participating marks the third-straight year NTMC has set a record for the program. It is for students ages 16-19 who want to learn more about healthcare careers and specifically jobs in a hospital.
“It’s encouraging to see a large number of young people considering a career in healthcare,” said NTMC Marketing Director Darin Allred. “Our employees love sharing their knowledge and experiences with the students, and all the students are really eager to learn what goes on in each department.”
The program allows the students to experience working in a variety of hospital departments. They are able to interact with doctors, nurses, hospital staff, patients and families. The students spent time in Physical Therapy, Labor and Delivery, Medical Imaging, Laboratory, Emergency Department, Surgical Services, ICU, Respiratory Therapy, NTMC Health Primary Care, Pediatric Care and Women’s Care.
“Even before they get to college, these students have a plan for their career and this program is giving them an insight of what to expect,” Allred said. “For many, a program like this is important when it comes to applying to medical school or nursing school.”
As the students rotate each day to a different department, they are able to shadow NTMC employees as they assist patients.
Students participating in the program this summer included Abel Aguilera (Gainesville), Ariel Aguilera (Gainesville), Andrea Ayala (Valley View), Lainey Buck (Callisburg), Jayden Buckaloo (Callisburg), Alaisa Castaneda (Gainesville), Baylie Clark (Callisburg), Eden Dulock (Lindsay), Anzlee Eugster (Callisburg), Timothy Flusche (Sacred Heart), Jaycie Goss (Era), Lainey Goss (Era), Landri Gum (Lindsay), Ellie Hacker (Muenster), Makenna Henry (Lindsay), Mollie Hess (Sacred Heart), Lucas Hinzman (Era), CeCe Hoff (Highland Park), Anaileight Huerta (Gainesville), Faith Laningham (Sanger), Emily Loya (Sacred Heart), Leslie Loya (Sacred Heart), Monina Maughan (Sacred Heart), Ana Ortega (Callisburg), Hope Pearman (Era), Skylar Pooler (Turner), Ava Quick (Muenster), Ella Rauschuber (Era), Kinsy Ribinskas (Sanger), Ella Ritchey (Valley View), Leslye Rodriguez (Gainesville), Avery Schilling (Sacred Heart), Sam Strabala (Sacred Heart), Nora Thomas, Callisburg), Bella Walterscheid (Sacred Heart).
“This year, our program was so large that we actually had to do five sessions,” Allred said. “We had six students who did the program last year, but wanted to attend a second year to learn as much as possible about their chosen career field. So, we created a special one-week alumni session to give them extra shadowing opportunities.”
The next Student Medical Experience Program at North Texas Medical Center will be in Summer 2027. Applications will open in March. For more information, email darin.allred@ntmconline.net or call the Marketing office at (940) 612-8460.
