David Denton, a physician assistant graduate student at California Baptist University, instructs high school students on tools doctors use to perform eye exams at the Health Profession Conference on March 21.

Riverside, Calif. (March 21, 2018) – Nearly 700 high school students from the Inland Empire spent the day at California Baptist University, gaining information on pursuing careers in the medical field on March 21. CBU hosted the event that was organized by Inland Health Professions Coalition, a nonprofit that seeks to address the growing need for health care workers in the Inland Empire.

The Health Professions Conference featured more than 50 health professionals that provided students with hands-on training activities in addition to providing career information.

Several CBU faculty were featured among the presenters. Amanda Madrid, associate professor of nursing, spoke on public health nursing; Dr. Marshare Penny, associate professor of public health, lectured on epidemiology; and Mary Ann Stahovich, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, addressed her career as a physician assistant.

“We definitely need more health care providers in our local areas,” Stahovich said. “If we can get local high school students jazzed up about considering the health care professions, I think that would be huge.”

The conference included simulation labs, which Stahovich organized with the help of CBU physician assistant graduate students. The CBU students also assisted the high school students in conducting health activities such as head, ear, nose and throat exams. Additionally, the students learned various techniques such as scrubbing.

“We’re trying to provide a chance to get a little taste of health care professions,” Stahovich said. “Is being a physician assistant for you or not? If it’s not, at CBU we have physical therapy, nursing nutrition and more. If you know you like to work with people and learn about health, there are options. There is room for everyone.”