The New Visions Medical Professions program recently wrapped up another successful year at Auburn Memorial Hospital. Twelve local college-bound seniors participated in the year-long program earning college credits and gaining valuable first-hand knowledge of the medical field.

Students enrolled in the New Visions program split time between their high school and AMH. They are part of a total immersion approach to education that integrates English, economics, government, anatomy and physiology and career exploration into one program of study. The program places the students into the actual working environment of the career that they're attracted to.

“This BOCES program enables us to go from classroom learning to the world of work,” said Nicki Whiting, of Weedsport. “Discovering all the new occupations and learning about the machinery in radiology really interested me, and I now want to pursue a career in sonography.”

The medical professions program stimulates and challenges students interested in the medicine and related life sciences professions by exposing them to the fundamentals of the health-care industry. Through daily involvement with medical staff, students get a first-hand understanding of the responsibilities and demands of the profession and how to apply a medical education to real-life situations.

“Some of my fondest memories were with Dr. Riccio in the pathology lab,” said Craig Hunter, from Auburn High School. “The time he took explaining all of his findings and the painstaking effort he made to ensure that I understood everything is a good representation of the kindness of all the staff that I worked alongside.” Hunter has been accepted into Cedarville University (Ohio) to study molecular biology.

The New Visions program, now in its 12th year, is done at AMH in conjunction with the Cayuga-Onondaga County BOCES. Students are academically strong; satisfy graduation requirements; demonstrate an interest in the health-care field; exhibit maturity, responsibility and teamwork; are prepared to engage in extensive reading assignments and writing projects, and plan to attend college or pursue other post-secondary education.

Beverly Miller is the director of community relations and the

Hospital Foundation at Auburn Memorial Hospital.