ARCOM hosted a four-day hands-on medical camp empowering Latino middle school students toward healthcare careers.
| The Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM) organized a four-day, hands-on medical camp titled “Latinos en Medicina” that provided local Latino rising 8th and 9th grade students with direct exposure to healthcare careers and clinical skills. Designed and led by the ARCOM Outreach Program in partnership with the Peak Innovation Center and supported by ACHE faculty, the camp targeted students from Darby, Kimmons, and Ramsey middle schools and aimed to inspire participants aged 13 and 14 to consider professions in medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other allied health fields. Over the course of the camp, participants engaged in practical, skill-based learning: they practiced adult and infant CPR, learned to recognize signs of stroke, applied splints, practiced suturing techniques, and checked blood glucose levels—introducing them to diabetes care and osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM). These activities offered tangible, confidence-building experiences that demystified clinical tasks and highlighted the relevance of healthcare skills in community settings. Beyond clinical skills, the camp emphasized representation and mentorship. Twelve ARCOM student volunteers participated each day, guiding hands-on activities while serving as visible role models. Their involvement allowed middle schoolers to interact with near-peer mentors who could relate to their cultural and community backgrounds. Faculty leaders stressed the importance of encouraging Spanish language skills and cultural strengths, positioning bilingualism as an asset that can improve patient care and community trust. ARCOM’s Medical Director of International Medicine and Cultural Education, Dr. Monica Rojas Chavez, underscored the broader purpose: to expand the pipeline of Latino professionals in healthcare by encouraging students to envision career paths they might not have previously considered. The camp responds to a documented disparity in physician representation—Latinos constitute nearly 20 percent of the U.S. population while representing only about six percent of physicians—and the attendant implications for health equity. By offering early exposure to healthcare careers, practical skill development, and mentorship, ARCOM’s program seeks to address workforce diversity and reduce barriers that contribute to persistent healthcare disparities. For ARCOM students, volunteering offered professional development in communication, cultural humility, and community engagement; they practiced explaining complex medical concepts in accessible ways, learned to reflect on privilege, and developed strategies to reach underserved populations. As an outreach initiative, the camp reflects ARCOM’s commitment to community engagement, health equity, and cultivating future healthcare professionals from underrepresented backgrounds. The combination of interactive clinical skills, career exploration, and culturally responsive mentorship created an immersive experience that aimed to broaden participants’ aspirations and equip them with foundational knowledge about healthcare roles. ARCOM’s model demonstrates how academic institutions can partner with local organizations and leverage student volunteers to create meaningful pathways for young people from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in health professions. |
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