Three MHS seniors are spending six weekends at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago to attend an immersive health care program taught by medical students.

Tyler Bell, Naomi Cabachuela and Mariela Ramos were selected for HPREP (Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program), an educational program for Chicagoland high school students from underrepresented communities. The program is organized by representatives from the Northwestern’s Student National Medical Association and Latino Medical Student Organization in partnership with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

The students, who worked together to host a student panel on AP and honors coursework that attracted more than 150 students, already have participated in extracurricular programs that dovetail with their interests in health care careers.

Bell, who took first place in anatomy and physiology at Science Olympiad, is looking forward to learning how to develop a nurturing  community  based on her supportive team experiences.

“Along with cheering for the rest of my team, at the Science Olympiad competitions I also got to cheer for myself and my teammate who worked with me,” Bell said.

Cabachuela, who attended the Rural Health Careers summer program at Rockford University and the UIUC STEM in ACES camp, hopes to find out more about the intersectionality of equity and healthcare while confirming her career path.

“These experiences have been life changing for me by providing a broad education in healthcare and helping me choose a career path,” Cabuchuela said.

Ramos is currently conducting weekly medical rounds at Advocate Condell Medical Center through its PenWaSciz program where she’s gaining knowledge of best practices regarding interacting with patients. Additionally, Ramos attended the Bellin College of Nursing summer program. She hopes to further broaden her understanding of careers in healthcare.

“I've focused on the importance of learning as much as I can about different careers, whether it be from shadowing or research, and now I can better understand healthcare through the eyes of medical students,” Ramos said.

The three MHS students will learn about the array of health care career options such as doctor, physician’s assistant, physical therapist, nurse while attending sessions at the medical school. Curriculum will give depth to neurology, engineering, acute care and orthopedics as well as provide scaffolding for success in academic preparation for those careers by providing an overview of the medical school curriculum, essay writing and study skills workshops.