Maumelle Students Learn Career Possibilities at UAMS
| Feb. 22, 2016 | Maumelle High School seniors learned about the numerous educational programs available at UAMS during a panel discussion Feb. 16 with UAMS faculty and staff.
More than 60 students took part in the Senior Business Luncheon, an event of the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce and held in the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute’s Sam Walton Auditorium. Panel discussion focused on seldom-discussed health care careers and the education, salary, opportunities, job growth and skills associated with those professions.
Douglas Murphy, Ph.D, dean of the UAMS College of Health Professions, familiarized the students with various health care professions including audiologist, physical therapist, physician assistant, radiology technician, dental hygienist and health information technician.
Students learned about various health care professions including audiologist, dental hygienist and physical therapist.
“We’re happy you all are here today and looking into your college education and career training,” said Murphy. “This is the exact right time, because the things you do in the next few years will position you very well for a rewarding profession.”
Kristen Sterba, Ph.D., associate dean of the UAMS Graduate School, noted the impact research has on health care and encouraged students who might be interested to seek out opportunities early in college, allowing the students more time to learn about the field and be better prepared if they ultimately pursue a research degree.
Jordan O’Roark, Ed.D, director of admissions and alumni relations for the UAMS College of Public Health, explained the importance of the work done in public health and the vast number of issues it impacts, including climate change, gun violence, environmental protection and immunizations.
Douglas Murphy, Ph.D., dean of the UAMS College of Public Health, speaks to more than 60 students from Maumelle High School.
“Public health is about prevention,” said O’Roark. “We prevent sickness, disease and injury as much as possible. It’s important, and the research and work done has had tremendous impact on our society.”
Other members of the panel were College of Health Professions faculty Edward Williams, interim director of Physician Assistant Studies; Anthony Baker, director of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program; Melissa Efurd, Ed.D., chair of the Department of Dental Hygiene; Alicia Baird, chair of the Department of Ophthalmic Technologies; as well as senior nurse recruiting manager Susan Erickson.
Students asked panel members how to be a more competitive applicant and what education is required for certain UAMS programs.
“There are a number of opportunities in health care, especially at UAMS,” said Alicia Gillen, executive director of the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s important to learn and explore now the areas you might be interested in.”