Mid-Central Regional Center Update

Hands-on-Health with Mid Central AHEC in Saginaw 

The Hands-on-Health event at Central Michigan University’s (CMU) College of Medicine Saginaw Education Building was a fantastic opportunity for high school students to explore various healthcare careers through hands-on activities and simulations. The event was organized by Mid Central AHEC and Thumb Community Health Partnership. 

Students from both the Mid Central and Thumb regions were able to engage in activities such as a suture clinic led by CMU medical students, Stop-The-Bleed simulations with tourniquets and bandages, infant CPR, airplane medical response training, and Narcan use instruction. Additionally, a panel of medical professionals provided insights into their careers, their educational paths, and what a typical day in their profession looks like, followed by a Q&A session. 

“Volunteering with the Hands-on-Health event was a great experience, especially since I was given the chance to work with a variety of students from across the Mid-Central area. More specifically, I enjoyed working through the suturing clinic with Javon Perkins, who showed a true interest in and love for the health sciences,” said CMU Student Grace Thomas. 

Highlights of the Saginaw Area Health Career Pipeline Program  

Last spring, Mid Central, in collaboration with CMU College of Medicine, hosted the 5th annual Saginaw Area Health Career Pipeline Program. The program brought mentorship, academic insight, and career exploration opportunities to 20 9th and 10th grade students from nine high schools throughout the region. College mentors from Saginaw Valley State University and medical student facilitators from CMU College of Medicine offered their expertise to highlight potential pathways and give advice to high school students interested in health careers.  

During the eight-week offering, students participated in birthing simulations, Stop-the-Bleed training, and auscultation practice stations in the Covenant HealthCare Simulation Center. They learned about the organ donation process and careers available at Gift of Life Michigan. Other activities included catalase enzyme testing, proper handwashing techniques, and microscope viewing with professionals from the Saginaw County Health Department and Michigan Department of Health & Human Services.  More than a dozen guest speakers highlighted their academic and professional journeys and offered insight to this year’s participants. 

Upcoming 10th Annual Mt. Pleasant Area Health Career Pipeline Program to Take Place 

The 10th Annual Mt. Pleasant Area Health Career Pipeline Program will take place this fall. Over the last decade, Mid-Central in collaboration with CMU College of Medicine has delivered unique hands-on exploration activities, pre-health career mentorship, and leadership development opportunities to more than 250 high school and college students with support from over 20 CMU CMED medical student facilitators and volunteers.  

Professionals from academic departments, community organizations and local businesses have shared their resources to provide engaging presentations and unique hands-on activities that have exposed area youth to the potential career options. We thank all who have contributed to the ongoing success of the Health Career Pipeline Program and look forward to the continued impact it brings to the surrounding community and its youth.  Questions may be directed to midcentralahec@cmich.edu.

Introducing the Mid Central AHEC Public Health Pathways Program 

We are partnering with Central Michigan University’s Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions to present the Public Health Pathways Program on CMU’s campus in the fall of 2024 for 9th – 11th grade students from the Central and Mid-Michigan Region.  Undergraduate, graduate students, and medical students will serve as coordinators and mentors throughout the program. Apply by September 13th.  To learn more, contact midcentralahec@cmich.edu.

Human Trafficking Webinar Series 

In partnership with McLaren Central Michigan, Michigan Center for Rural Health, and CMU's Rural Health Equity Institute, the Central & Western AHEC coordinated a Human Trafficking Webinar Series.The purpose of this webinar series was to increase public awareness about human trafficking risks and signs. By increasing public awareness and outreach, governments and communities can detect human trafficking cases, build public support for action, and ultimately prevent human trafficking. This webinar series had presenters including a victim, survivor, author, FBI Victims Specialist, and a SANE nurse – Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.  Over 300 attendees attended each session of the webinar.