Another Successful Week of Discovery Healthcare Camp

Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) wrapped up another successful year of the Discovery Healthcare Camp, providing local high school students with an immersive introduction to healthcare careers in rural communities. Hosted in collaboration with Huron Health System (HHS) and Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, the camp gives high school students early exposure to the world of healthcare in rural areas.

To kick off the week, a warm welcome was given by the Mayor of Goderich, Trevor Bazinet; Mayor of South Huron, George Finch; Chief Nursing Executive, Lynn Higgs; and President of Gateway CERH, Gwen Devereux. Their speeches emphasized the importance of supporting students as they pursue careers in healthcare and highlighted the value of creating opportunities that encourage the next generation of rural healthcare professionals.

Three medical students from Schulich School of Medicine coordinated the week of presentations and activities from local healthcare professionals about their pathways, experiences, and day-to-day lives. On Monday, the students received a presentation from Amber Brodie, RN, about Infection Prevention and Control. The students got practice properly using PPE and learned all about how the Huron Perth Public Health System controls our exposure to infections.

Huron County Paramedic and camper look at the campers ekg and heart rate

Campers and Huron County Paramedics check out the ambulance

Campers learn how to apply plaster casts.

On Tuesday, the students heard from the Maitland Valley Medical Centre Nurse Practitioner team about the process of becoming a nurse as well as the role that nurse practitioners play in the healthcare team. Later in the day, EMS gave the campers an up-close tour of the ambulance and all their equipment, demonstrating how they may use it in an emergency situation. To end the day, the students practiced their clinical skills by learning how to stabilize a broken arm with casting. The activity, led by Dr. Steinmann, taught the students how to apply a plaster cast.

Campers in the x-ray lab putting together images

On Wednesday, the campers toured Alexandra Marine & General Hospital (AMGH) to experience x-ray imaging and laboratory medicine. The AMGH team welcomed the students and gave them an opportunity to learn about the many roles in the hospital and the many opportunities available in our community for healthcare professionals.

On Thursday, Pharmacist Mike Beazley discussed his path to pharmacy and the research he leads at UWaterloo School of Pharmacy. Tanya Thompson, a Diabetes Educator, also taught students about blood glucose management.

Campers practicing listening to each others heart rhythms.

To wrap up the week, on Friday the students learned about rural medicine from both Dr. Tiffaney Kittmer, General Surgeon, and Dr. Tresurywala, General Practitioner. Dr. Kittmer led a hands-on session teaching suturing skills on stuffed animals.

Campers and a Med Student playing Spike Ball

Throughout the week, the campers not only learned about healthcare careers but got the full summer camp experience with friendship bracelet making to practice knot tying skills, volleyball for team building, and one-on-one mentorship from the medical student leaders. 

Discovery Healthcare Camp Class of 2026 Campers (please note; 7 campers absent from photo)

At the end of the week, the students proudly crossed the stage at graduation with an ignited sense of passion for healthcare and knowledge about the pathways and roles of each profession. The Discovery Healthcare Camp is an essential resource within our community that focuses on supporting our own youth to build the future healthcare force.