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 High school sophomores from the Creating Pathways and Access for Student Success (CPASS) Foundation, an organization geared to increase opportunities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) for underrepresented students with an interest in these fields, visited the ɫ�����Ƶ’s Downers Grove Campus for more information about healthcare fields, a tour of the facilities, and advice on steps they should be taking to achieve their academic goals. Their visit was organized by Coretta Patterson, D.V.M., DACVIM, Dean, Proposed College of Veterinary Medicine – Illinois.

Dr. Patterson welcomed the students to ɫ�����Ƶ, shared her educational background, and added that she is one of five Black deans of colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States. She also shared that she attended a similar program to CPASS during her high school days. “This program has a proven track record. You can and will be in healthcare if you want to,” Dr. Patterson said.  She emphasized to the students the importance of keeping up with their science and math classes in high school to pursue healthcare fields in the future. Dr. Patterson advised students interested in veterinary careers to gain experience and volunteer at an animal clinic, maintain their grades, volunteer, take part in extracurricular activities and hobbies, and attend college open houses.  

Victoria Franks, M.Adm., Vice President, Multicultural Affairs and Community Outreach, shared, “We were delighted to host the rising sophomore students participating in the CPASS STEMM Scholars Academy this summer. We hope the activities to explore various careers in healthcare helped students discover new interests and realize they can make a positive and lasting impact by providing compassionate patient care. By considering entering the healthcare professional field, these students can pave the way for a future where they not only build successful careers but also contribute to the well-being of others.”

Dr. Patterson highlighted the variety of career opportunities in veterinary medicine, including government organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), surgeons, neurology, cardiology, behaviorists, anesthesiologists, dermatologists, the zoo, and medical research. “Veterinarians work to get medications approved for human use,” she said. Dr. Patterson added that animals have a similar physiology to humans with a shorter natural lifespan, and the progression of diseases can be observed and treated in different stages. Interventions can be figured out for humans with similar diseases, she said. 

During their tour and interactive sessions in the University facilities, the high school students participated in a variety of hands-on activities. In the session on dentistry, they drilled a mock tooth in a mold of teeth, and then filled the mock cavity. The students also learned about digital dentistry. In other sessions, they learned about the variety of uses for Ultrasound and observed the heart, arteries, and kidneys. The high school students explored the field of optometry with several hands-on activities including the triangle test, where they determined their dominant eye. They also learned that eye exams can indicate the presence of other healthcare conditions including diabetes and cancer. In a session about the Physician Assistant careers, students tested reflexes and listened to normal and abnormal heart and lung sounds. The high school students learned about pharmacy compounding, where a pharmacist creates a medication that is tailored to a patient’s needs. The event also had a Q&A session for students to learn more about college applications and admissions.

The high school students expressed their interest in STEMM fields and their appreciation of the event at ɫ�����Ƶ. Ellisha McKinnis, a sophomore at Thornridge High School, said, “My experience has been really interesting looking at different careers in medical school. I’m reconsidering my career to become a dentist or a forensic scientist.” She shared that this event is important to gain more skills and critical thinking skills. Ellisha also shared the impact of the CPASS program providing opportunities, and she advised other students to “take advantage of every opportunity you have and be ready to push forward with the opportunities.” 

Misturat Adekunle, a sophomore at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Preparatory High School shared, “It opened my eyes to all the medical fields and makes me excited about the future. I am thinking about becoming an anesthesiologist for humans or animals.” Misturat discussed how interesting the ultrasound experience was. “I saw my heart, my lungs, and my kidneys, and saw how everything moved.” She also expressed her appreciation of the CPASS program. “It’s important for CPASS to make pathways for the opportunities Black and Brown teens from low-income families can have. Someone is wanting to help you grow, and you have a future ahead of you.” 

“The goal of the program is diversity in the STEMM field,” said Tracie Screven, Associate Director of the CPASS Foundation. The 20 incoming sophomores are in a five-week program, with two weeks of learning at the Museum of Science and Industry, two weeks at The Chicago School, and the last week at Lewis University, she said. She encouraged the students along their future career paths. “The community is in need of you in the field,” she said.     

Asia Lawrence, Program Director for the CPASS Foundation, said of the group experience at ɫ�����Ƶ, “We’re liking the engagement of all the departments and the hands-on learning.” He also mentioned that this experience “shows our scholars different kinds of opportunities in the fields of medicine, optometry, and dental fields, and they get this experience in a small amount of time.”  He remarked that the educational experience students received at ɫ�����Ƶ assists them with their culminating project at the end of the fifth week.” He also shared the importance of the CPASS experience for students. “We try to ensure our students in the academy go into STEMM fields to have a better quality of life. Minority students have a lack of representation within STEMM fields,” he said.  

Through events welcoming students from the CPASS program, ɫ�����Ƶ embraces diversity and encourages high school students to pursue a variety of healthcare careers, including becoming medical doctors, optometrists, and veterinarians. The University also hopes to welcome the high school students on their campuses one day as graduate and doctoral students.