Onvida Health’s annual healthcare camp gives local students hands-on experience

YUMA,Ariz.(KYMA)-This week, select local high school and college students are experiencing Onvida Health’s annual healthcare camp.

Local students are gaining hands-on experience this summer through exposure to health care careers.

Elizabeth Hammonds, director of volunteer services for Onvida Health, said, “We give them the opportunity to explore a multitude of health careers and hope by the end of the week that we have inspired them to select something in the field and be educated in that field.”

The goal of Onvida Health’s annual healthcare camp is to educate students interested in the healthcare field by giving them the opportunity to practice skills such as suturing, PPE, and participating in simulations.

Student volunteer Andrik Reyes said, “The healthcare career camp is where I really fell in love with surgery.”

Students also have the opportunity to learn how to use surgical robots through hands-on simulations, with the hope that campers will discover their passion.

One former camper, now a camp volunteer, says Onvida Health’s career camp is not only a great place to learn hands-on skills, but also a place to build connections.

Jennifer Casillas, a student volunteer, said, “My biggest take away would probably be again the connections that you make.”

The annual week-long camp brings together like-minded students for an immersive learning experience that creates a lasting impact on every participant.

Onvida Health says camps like these help inspire students to pursue future health care careers.