Local high school students chosen as 'Surgeons for a Day'
Seattle, WA – Four students from Spokane area high schools will become “transplant surgeons” on Thursday, April 26. Kristen Bussard, Cory Kowalik and Rebekah Demand from Mead High School and Jordon Stickelmeyer from Shadle Park High School were chosen to shadow transplant surgeons and staff for a day at Sacred Heart Medical Center. They won this opportunity by participating in an essay contest, in which the students explained why they aspire to be transplant surgeons.
Sacred Heart and the Living Legacy Foundation at Life Center Northwest have teamed up to provide this unique, hands-on learning experience in honor of National Donate Life Month (April) and National Take Your Son/Daughter to Work Day (April 26).
“For me, every opportunity to improve someone’s life through surgery would be a contribution,” wrote Rebekah Demand, a senior on her way to Washington State University.
“I aspire to be a surgeon in order to see patient’s faces when they hear that they will recover completely from transplant," added Cory Kowalik, a junior. "…and to be able to feel good about giving life to someone when all hope was lost.”
As part of the Living Legacy Foundation's "It's Your Choice...Donate Life" presentation, students heard personal stories from transplant recipients, donor family members and living kidney donors - and of the opportunity to job shadow a transplant surgeon at Sacred Heart through the essay contest.
“My goal has always been the medical profession…A beating heart, a healthier lung, a better kidney all seem to be an amazing possibility,” said Jordon Sticklemeyer in her essay. Kristin Bussard simply stated, “I want to have the opportunity to save lives.” She heads to Western Washington University in September to learn how to do just that.
“To work with the next generation of transplant surgeons is amazing!” said Living Legacy Foundation Education Program Manager, Molly Schoeb. “We hope that all young people are as active and intelligent as these young people when it comes to health and donation.”
April is National Donate Life Month, a time when people nationwide are encouraged to learn more about organ and tissue donation and register their wish to donate life. As an ongoing partner of the Living Legacy Foundation, Sacred Heart Medical Center is pleased to open its doors to these inquiring students. Transplant surgeons David Sandler, MD, and Robert Golden, MD, will host these students.
Sacred Heart is the only transplant center in the Inland Northwest, offering kidney and heart transplants to patients throughout Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana.
Living Legacy Foundation strives to increase the number of people who register their wish to be organ and tissue donors. Established by LifeCenter Northwest, a federally designated organ procurement organization, Living Legacy Foundation serves as a bridge among donor families, recipients, living donors and the community. To learn more about donation, visit www.livinglegacyfoundation.org. To register as an organ and tissue donor, please visit www.donatelifetoday.com.
- Options :
- View Archives