Dominique Smith participating in a demonstration in the ECMC Emergency Room

"Let's Not Meet By Accident" Program
On Tuesday October 2, 2012, Mount Mercy Academy's Senior Health class visited Erie County Medical Center to participate in the "Let's Not Meet by Accident" program. This program is a reality based trauma prevention/alcohol education program for teens who are new drivers. It is presented by the Emergency and Trauma Departments in hospitals across the state.

Participants learn that traumatic injuries claim the lives of more Americans under age 44 than AIDS, cancer and heart disease combined. Physicians and nurses who are confronted every day with the tragic aftermath of drinking and driving emphasize the fact that alcohol and drugs are a factor in 70 percent of all traffic deaths in the United States. During their visit, Mercy students visit the trauma resuscitation room-where accident victims are treated and the ambulance bay-where ambulances arrive carrying accident victims.

MercyFlight
On Monday Oct 22, 2012, Mount Mercy Academy's Health Care Career Club (a club preceding admittance into the Academy of Science & Healthcare) will be going on a field trip to MercyFlight to learn about the history of MercyFlight and helicopter rescue procedures as well as receive a tour through the facilities, including the helicopters.

About the Academy
Mount Mercy Academy offers a unique career internship program for students to experience different professions first hand. Students will have the opportunity to interact with professionals in the field of their choice as well as have exposure to many other careers. MMA has teamed up with administration and staff at Mercy Hospital to create a vivid learning experience for the girls. Students begin interacting with the professional community as freshmen through the Healthcare Career Club and continue through the Academy of Science & Heathcare. Each student enrolled in this program will have the opportunity to be placed in an internship in the field of her choice, not necessarily healthcare specific.

As freshmen & sophomores, students participate in the Healthcare Career Club, moderated by the Catholic Health System. They are able to attend various field trips, gaining first-hand knowledge of careers in healthcare, such as visits to the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus and MASH Camp at Mercy Hospital.

As juniors, students are given the opportunity to participate in a shadowing rotation program in the fields of Radiology, Gross Anatomy, Maternity, Mission on the Move Traveling Clinic, Nursing Units, Respiratory Therapy, Physical Therapy and more.

As seniors, students participate in an internship in the field of their choice (Finance, Marketing, Communications, Human Resources as well as Research and all Medical/Clinical) either at Mercy Hospital or another approved location. They must complete a total of fifty non-paid hours of work, complete a log of their participation and then research colleges that offer related majors.

For more information about Mount Mercy Academy's Academy of Science & Healthcare, please contact Candace Wagner, Coordinator Academy of Science & Healthcare at cwagner@mtmercy.org, visit our website or call (716) 825-8796.