Pinckneyville Community Hospital recently welcomed 17 students for its first-ever Healing Hands Summer Camp, a one-day event designed to introduce local youth to the wide variety of careers available in healthcare.

Throughout the day, students participated in hands-on activities led by hospital staff and community partners, giving them an inside look at several healthcare professions.

Campers learned about radiology by playing Bones Bingo and discovering how medical imaging helps diagnose injuries and illnesses. They met with Pinckneyville EMS and the ARCH Air Medical team to learn about emergency response and patient transport. Pharmacy staff demonstrated the science behind medications through a fun "elephant toothpaste" experiment, while nursing introduced students to infection prevention and basic first aid by building their own first aid kits.

Students also explored physical therapy through stretching, balance, and coordination activities, learned how the medical laboratory helps diagnose patients by creating slime to represent blood clotting, and rotated through interactive occupational therapy stations that highlighted the skills therapists use to help patients regain independence. The day concluded with healthcare trivia, teamwork activities, and water games.

"Our goal was to give students a fun, hands-on introduction to the many career opportunities available in healthcare," said Gloria Przygoda, Director of the South Central Illinois Area Health Education Center (AHEC). “We hope this camp inspires the next generation to be future caregivers- whether that be in direct patient care, laboratory science, rehabilitation, emergency services or another healthcare field. The possibilities are endless!"

The camp received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants and their families, making the first event a great success. Pinckneyville Community Hospital hopes to offer the Healthcare Careers Summer Camp again next summer.

The hospital extends its sincere appreciation to the Illinois Area Health Education Center (IL AHEC) for sponsoring the camp and to the many Pinckneyville Community Hospital employees, Pinckneyville EMS, and ARCH Air Medical who volunteered their time and expertise to make the event possible.

Pinckneyville Community Hospital remains committed to inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals while strengthening the future healthcare workforce in our region.