Bosco students get realistic look at healthcare

BELLFLOWER -- St. John Bosco High School students visited Long Beach Memorial last week as part of the school's Biomedical Pathway program, which exposes students to many of the major concepts of human medicine and aspire to pursue higher education leading to a career in health care.
 
At Long Beach Memorial students toured the Biomedical Engineering department where they got a behind-the-scenes look at how biomedical engineers keep track of and repair machines used to take care of patients. Biomedical engineers shared what it takes to be a good biomedical engineer: a fascination with the creation of tools that help promote peoples’ health.

Students visited different stations in the Biomedical Engineering workshop where engineers explained how different pieces of equipment work and how technology helps doctors and nurses provide the best care for patients.
 
St. John Bosco students also visited the Clinical Simulation Laboratory where they participated in simulated patient care experiences. In the Clinical Simulation Lab students were introduced to patient simulators capable of presenting hundreds of medical conditions in realistic scenarios. The Clinical Simulation Lab is used by medical students to develop and build upon their schooling with practical hand-on skills.
 
“Biomedical Pathway students have an interest in health care and unique experiences like this where students can meet health care professionals and explore different careers in health care first-hand is invaluable,” said Robert Linares, biomedical pathway coordinator, St. John Bosco High School.
 
Throughout their four years at St. John Bosco High School students are taught health and science technology, biomedical ethics, anatomy and physiology, cell and molecular biology, and biochemical genetics as well as participate in field work and “real world” experiences.

Students conduct independent research, participate in medical simulations, and attend lectures provided by physicians, research scientists and other health care professionals. Upon graduation, students "will have a solid knowledge base to build upon as they pursue the next step in their career," school officials said.