For one night a year, New Vision Medical Career Program students can show off their newfound skills and confidence for their families and biggest supporters. It was one of those nights on Wednesday, February 5, as several departments at Geneva General Hospital (GGH) “opened their doors” for an open house meant to provide a “behind the scenes” and close up experience.
Each year, New Vision Medical Career instructor Laura Van Niel tasks her 17 students with giving an account of their favorite department rotations. It is estimated that GGH staff give over 2,000 hours of mentorship annually as this interdisciplinary program, a partnership between Finger Lakes Health and the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES Finger Lakes Technical and Career Center (FLTCC) has grown to give each student many clinical and nonclinical rotation experiences, from Surgical Services to Child Care, and from Transport to Dialysis.
Margaux Eller, a Mynderse senior, began the night with a testimonial speech on her own journey in New Vision Medical this year. Each student has taken their first steps in their medical education.
“It’s so important that you all see the incredible impact the mentors have here at Geneva General on your sons and daughters,” Van Niel remarked to a group of over 30 parents. “Thank you for entrusting us with your kids and we hope you see the value in this education program.”
For FLTCC Principal Matt Barr, it is self-explanatory that “when you set a bar of expectations, students use that as a tool to see how much we as teachers and mentors expect from them. Well, the bar here is incredibly high, we are very proud of our partnership in this program, and so much of its success is because of Laura (Van Niel).”
The four departments on this year’s open house tour were the Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Laboratory, and Radiology. The students’ families were split into groups and escorted to each department, where the students described their rotation experience and answered questions.
“What an inspirational night! These students were so impressive,” one parent added. “It’s easy to see that they are all on their way to doing wonderful things! Thanks for giving us a window into the program.” Another parent was very sentimental in saying it was “a joy to witness the passion these students displayed, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity my daughter has in this program.”
During the one part of the tour, Jeff Fultz, Director of Diagnostic Imaging at Finger Lakes Health was quick to add “it is great to see these young people so engaged in this field. I hope you all as parents and community members see the importance of having these specialized services available so close to home.”
Over the last five years, New Vision Medical students have collectively earned nearly $7.4 million in matriculated college scholarships, and each year they earn nine college credits and 125 hours of clinical experience. Applications for the 2021 class are due March 16. For more information about how to apply, please contact your guidance counselor or contact FLTCC at 585-526-6412. New Vision Medical is a program offered by Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES.
Margaux is joined by her fellow classmates representing the following school districts: Canandaigua Academy: Reilly Reber, Madison Ryan, Alena VonRhedey, and Sarah Weinel; Geneva High School: Camryn Bailey, Mitchell Burrall, Joel DeVries, Paige O’Brien, and Grace Whiteleather; Honeoye Central School District: Jacob Slocum; Marcus Whitman High School: Jacob Nemitz; Mynderse Academy: Margaux Eller and Michael Eller; Naples Central School District: Shaylyn McGory; Victor Senior High School: Renee Merriman; and Waterloo High School: Sean Bronson and Sennett Turner.
Photo Caption: Members of the New Vision Medical Career Program give an account of an experience in the Radiology Department at Geneva General Hospital. From left to right; Margaux Eller, Paige O’Brien, Mitchell Burrall, and Camryn Bailey.