Eglin Hospital hosts Kid's Career Day

  • Published
  • By Sara Vidoni
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  What do you want to be when you grow up? The possibilities were endless for the 23 children and teenagers who participated in the 96th Medical Group's first Kid's Career Day July 30 here.

The participants, from ages eight to 17, took part in the day-long event to get a hands-on perspective of the various career opportunities available in the medical field as well as the Air Force Medical Service.

"Children don't always fully comprehend what kinds of jobs are out there and to have exposure at an impressionable age can set the stage for future successes in whatever pathway they choose," said Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Jones, the event coordinator and a superintendent for the 96th Dental Squadron.

More than 21 medical career fields were presented throughout the day. The kids participated in everything from a cast molding demonstration and physical therapy exercises to creating dental impressions and what its like on typical day for a physician. Lesser known medical fields like logistics, laboratory, radiology and public health were also represented.

"It was important to me the children were not just getting briefings all day, but were also able to participate in hands-on activities as well as have plenty of visual displays or equipment and tools to touch and look at," said Jones. "Their young minds were stimulated verbally, visually and physically."

This Kid's Career Day was made possible through the combined efforts of all six squadrons at the 96th MDG as well as employees at the Veteran Affairs Clinic located outside of the  gate. All of the participants were children of employees at the 96th and the clinic.

Callie and Cassie May were two of the teenagers who attended the event.

"We took part in the day, so we could learn a little bit more about different medical careers," said Callie. "Our dad is a biomedical engineer in the Air Force, so we also wanted to learn more about his job as well."

Eglin Hospital hopes to continue to offer career days in the future.

"I hope every child left with a broadened view of the variety of medical career fields that are out there," said Jones. "It was a very enlightening day for them and we hope it will have a lasting impact."

Overall, hospital leadership felt the day was a success.

"We have a responsibility to mentor and develop our youth, and the medical field needs bright and energetic students," said Col. Gianna Zeh, the 96th MDG commander.  "At the end of the day, our goal was to provide an opportunity to see how awesome it is to be a medic."