Maine Medical Explorers is a program designed to help High School students make an educated decision on a future career in the medical field. This is achieved by a series of lectures from various Health Care professionals as well as some hands-on activities. We also help out at blood drives and other community functions. We meet almost every Wednesday during the school year.In the late 1970’s, I was fortunate enough to have a neighbor, Dr. Gerald Ravitz, DPM, that enjoyed his work so much that he wanted to share it with the local youth. He ran a program called Medical Explorers. Over the next few years, many Long Island, New York students, including myself, learned about many different jobs in the medical field from very passionate health care workers. A few years later I began my work as a Surgical Technologist - a career that has satisfied me in every way. In November, 2001 we lost Dr Ravitz. Shortly after that I decided that it was time for me to pass on my good fortune and passion to the students of my community in Southern Maine. Over the next couple of years I began to develop a program for Health Exploring. I had help from many of the professionals at Maine Medical Center. That was when I was introduced to the Pine Tree Council of Portland.
I went through the process of registering our Post with their help. In January, 2004, Post #22 Maine Medical Explorers had our first meeting. We had 4 students the first year. They were exposed to General Surgery, Physician Assisting, Trauma Surgery and Nursing. We began to incorporate many more careers over the next four years. Today our program is 55 students strong and growing every week. We have gone from 12 meetings last year to 32 meetings this year. I felt that there are many different jobs in the Medical Field and I would like to cover as many as possible. This year we are featuring several Nursing, Technical, and Physician specialties. We are including a heart lab, and a trip to the OR for members to experience equipment used in surgery. Simulators will be set up for their use to include Laparoscopic, Orthopedic, and Robotic.
I hope that many more students will benefit from this program. It is my goal that other area hospitals and health.
Heath care related businesses will join exploring. If you are interested in helping or participating in any way please contact me at heims@mmc.org or the Pine Tree Council.
Submitted by:STEVE HEIM CST
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