Area teens explore health professions

Area teenagers had the opportunity to explore careers in the health professions field during the Summer Health Activities and Professions Exploration (sHaPe) summer day camp sponsored by Grand Valley State University.

The sHaPe program, held at the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, is designed for students entering 8th or 9th grade — a key time when students are considering careers.

Students participated in hands-on science activities that included laboratories and simulations with modern medical equipment, learned about personal health and fitness, and took a field trip to Saint Mary's Hospital.

The camp was directed and taught by faculty and staff members from Grand Valley’s College of Health Professions, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Kirkhof College of Nursing.

Participants explored the professions of medical laboratory science, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant, radiation therapy, sonography, speech pathology, sports medicine and therapeutic recreation. 

sHaPe is sponsored by Meijer, Saint Mary’s Health Care, Abbott Vascular, Kent County Medical Society Alliance and Lake Michigan Credit Union. The camp was hosted by Grand Valley’s College of Health Professions and Regional Math and Science Center.