Recent graduates from the NTIEC hospital externship program conducted at Wayne Memorial Hospital were (from left) Amelia Farry – Abington Heights; Kathryn “Grace” Hinkley and Hanna McCarthy – Blue Ridge; Bethany Burns – Susquehanna Community; and Cadence Lusk – Blue Ridge.
Edited from Submitted Materials
On Dec. 15, 2020, Northern Tier Industry & Education Consortium (NTIEC) graduated five students from Wayne Memorial Hospital’s hospital externship program in Honesdale. Students represented Abington Heights, Blue Ridge and Susquehanna Community school districts.
Partnering with Wayne Memorial Hospital’s volunteer coordinator Joyce Malicky (above, left), NTIEC was able to provide a safe, hands-on educational opportunity for the students. The externship program is designed to expose students interested in a career in healthcare to real-life experiences and to showcase the various jobs available in the industry locally.
The program kicked off with orientation where department heads spoke to the students about how each of their departments plays a key role in the “team” approach; importance of protecting patient’s privacy and infection control.
Each week, students Bethany Burns, Amelia Farry, Kathryn “Grace” Hinkley, Cadence Lusk and Hanna McCarthy rotated to different departments, engaging with the hospital staff and demonstrating an eagerness to learn all they could during their rotations.
The girls were able to observe in the maternity ward, same day surgery, the ICU, the lab and imaging. One student witnessed the birth of a baby during a C-section and others observed orthopedic surgeries. They learned important skills like how to dress a wound, test for blood type, how to properly wash their hands and clean surfaces. From an educational standpoint, they learned about the steps they need to take to reach their career goals.
During their graduation, CEO David Hoff (below, left) encouraged the girls to never stop learning about healthcare and in today’s world they need to help educate their family and friends about the importance of making sound decisions with regards to COVID-19.
According to NTIEC educational coordinator Deb Tierney (above, right), “The students said they enjoyed communicating with patients and hospital staff alike and learning about how certain patients cope with illnesses and injuries. The girls said that the environment at Wayne Memorial and their learning experiences only solidified their career pathways as future orthopedic surgeons, a laboratory technician and nurses.”