Discovery Days in Health Sciences: Inspiring future health-care leaders at the University of Alberta

For students interested in health care but unsure of their path, Discovery Days in Health Sciences offers an exciting first step. Hosted by the College of Health Sciences in partnership with the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, this one-day event provides high school students a unique opportunity to explore diverse careers in the health sciences, helping them see how a future in health care can begin right here at the University of Alberta.

Before this year’s U of A sessions kicked off on Oct. 24, Tammy Hopper, dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, addressed the students, saying, “Today marks the first step for many of you considering careers in health care. We hope it sparks a passion and reveals the many ways you can make a meaningful impact.”

More than 240 students and teachers from 38 high schools across Edmonton and surrounding areas converged on campus to participate in a day filled with hands-on workshops, interactive discussions and direct engagement with health-care professionals, researchers and educators. With workshops and talks by experts from the college’s diverse faculties — including Medicine & Dentistry, Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nursing, Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, and Rehabilitation Medicine — students gained a broad view of the ways they can contribute to health care.

Lissa Foster, executive director of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, welcomed students by emphasizing the event’s purpose: “Discovery Days aim to educate, encourage and inspire high school students who are curious about careers in medicine and health sciences. We’re excited to offer these students the chance to see firsthand how their passions can evolve into careers that truly make a difference.”

Keynote lecture: Exploring technology’s role in health care

Martin Ferguson-Pell, a professor in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, delivered a keynote titled, “How in the World Are Gaming Technologies Changing Health Care?” He opened with a story about how his childhood fascination with building crystal radios in England sparked a passion that eventually led him to a career blending technology and medicine. He demonstrated gaming tools, like inertial measurement units, are making health-care technology more affordable and accessible, especially for real-time tracking in rehabilitation.

He also introduced the students to the Double Diamond design thinking process, an approach that emphasizes user-centred innovation in health care. “The Double Diamond design thinking process is essential in health-care innovation because it forces us to deeply understand the needs of patients before jumping to solutions,” Ferguson-Pell said. “By defining the real problems clearly and then prototyping and refining our ideas based on user feedback, we ensure that what we create is not only effective but truly meaningful for the people who need it most.”

Engaging workshops led by U of A experts

Students had the chance to participate in specialized workshops that brought health-care careers to life. In “Augmented Renal Clearance,” they explored the phenomenon of “super kidneys” and how it impacts medication management, while “Radiation Therapy 101” introduced them to the compassionate yet technology-driven field of radiation therapy with a mock patient treatment.

For those interested in brain science, “The Development of the Brain” workshop allowed students to dissect fruit fly brains under advanced microscopes to observe neuronal development.

Each workshop provided a unique perspective on health sciences, from the hands-on basics of newborn assessment in “The Business of Babies” to the intricate teamwork in “Emergency Medicine Trauma Workshop,” where students practised skills such as airway management and spine stabilization.

Looking ahead: Insights from the “Health Pros Tell All” panel

The day concluded with a career panel discussion, “Health Pros Tell All,” in which students met health-care professionals from diverse specialties. Panellists shared their unique journeys and encouraged students to explore different paths in health sciences.

Susan Fawcett, director of the Radiation Therapy Program, encouraged students to remain open-minded, saying, “Explore a wide range of courses — you might just have that ‘aha’ moment where everything clicks, and you discover a true passion.” Rhonda Pouliot, director of Medical Laboratory Science, added, “Where you start out is not where you will end up. You can figure it out when you get to university!”

Inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals

As the College of Health Sciences continues to innovate and lead in healthcare education, Discovery Days in Health Sciences reflects the college’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals. By providing these young learners with hands-on experiences, inspiring lectures, and direct access to experts in the field, we hope to spark a lifelong passion for healthcare, empowering students to envision their future within the many pathways of health sciences.