Witnessing the unveiling of digitally dissected cadavers, a group of high schoolers at Toronto Metropolitan University’s new School of Medicine in Brampton, Ont., transition from nervous laughter to deep curiosity and fascination. Engaging in hands-on lab activities, about two dozen Peel District School Board (PDSB) co-op students swiftly maneuver virtual dissection tables, manipulating 3D models to explore bones and muscles.
Enthusiastically describing the experience, 16-year-old Yashita Singh highlights the ability to delve beneath the skin layer by layer, allowing for detailed dissections and interactive exploration.
Traditionally, health-care co-op programs target post-secondary students, but an increasing number are now reaching out to high schoolers to diversify interest in the medical field, particularly among underrepresented demographics. Gurmeet Lall, the school’s director of clinical anatomy and simulation, emphasizes the importance of engaging students during their pivotal senior years to inspire and expose them to potential career paths within Canada’s health-care system.
During a recent visit as part of the PDSB-TMU co-op course on Equity in the Future of Healthcare, seniors from five schools engaged in a comprehensive program that offers insights into various health-care fields, from medicine to social work. The course not only contributes towards their high school diplomas but also provides a stepping stone for potential future studies at TMU.
Reflecting on her participation, Yashita Singh notes how the course has broadened her perspective on health care, enabling her to interact with medical students and contemplate a future in medicine.
Interacting with first-year medical student Haris Ahmad, Singh finds inspiration in witnessing individuals from similar backgrounds pursuing careers in medicine. Ahmad emphasizes the importance of mentorship and support in navigating the complexities of entering the medical field.
Driving Inclusivity
Elsewhere in Winnipeg, an Indigenous student placement program has been running for over 15 years, aiming to showcase a range of health-care professions to high school participants each summer. The initiative not only exposes students to diverse career options but also strives to address the underrepresentation of Indigenous individuals within the health-care workforce.
In Ottawa, the Equity in Health Systems co-op program seeks to provide underrepresented high schoolers with invaluable experiences in health care, offering exposure to research and role models within the field.
Emphasizing the impact of early exposure to health care, PDSB resource teacher Mirjan Krstovic highlights the importance of understanding the Canadian health-care system’s needs. Peel student Aisha Adebisi shares her transformational journey from seeking knowledge about equity to discovering a passion for nursing through the PDSB-TMU course.
As students like Adebisi envision their future roles in health care, these initiatives continue to bridge gaps, inspire new career paths, and foster a more inclusive and reflective health-care system.