Lane Regional Medical Center, through a partnership with the Central Louisiana Area Health Education Center (CLAHEC) hosted a summer health careers volunteer program for area high school students entitled "AHEC of a Summer."

The AHEC program is an exciting opportunity for high school students entering 10th - 12th grades who are interested in pursuing a health care career. These students are given a chance to explore different career opportunities in medicine.

Program activities were held three days a week for five consecutive weeks. A commitment of approximately 100 hours as a health care volunteer is required program.

Program participants learned about health issues, patient care and health care career options, as well as information regarding education and training for health care professions.

They were able to obtain knowledge and experience from healthcare professional mentors, field trips, workshops and guest lecturers.

Program supervisor at Lane RMC was Allyson Bennett and program educator was Bonnie Byland.

The AHEC program provides dedicated students an insight into the various medical fields through observation and hands-on experience. Volunteers received 1/2 high school credit upon successful completion of the program.

CLAHEC is a non-profit, community-based agency that serves as a training and information resource for health and education professionals for a 17-parish region.

A primary goal of CLAHEC is to identify local needs and develop programs that will encourage healthcare professionals to practice in rural and underserved communities where their services are urgently needed.

Nan Ewing, program coordinator, states that “this program is an excellent tool for students to enhance their understanding of many different healthcare fields.”

The 16 students who were selected to participate in the 2011 AHEC of a Summer program attend Baker, Bethany Christian, Jehovah-Jireh Christian, Northeast High, Silliman Institute and Zachary High Schools.

Valinda Wade from Baker High; Melissa Ellis, Jean Marie Hill, Maria Mondello, Ikenna Nzewi and Evan Rivere from Zachary High; Christina Bell, Jasmine Blunt and Angel Norwood from Bethany Christian; Karlyn Aucoin, Bradleigh Brignac and Lance Dautel from Silliman Institute; Bria Curtis from Jehovah-Jireh Christian Academy; and Michael Hawkins, Aspen Thornton, and Ronnice Washington from Northeast High.