Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, many doors to primary care facilities, hospitals, health centers and others have remained closed to HCOP students; however, we have not let that stop us from getting our students the immersion and exposure they need!!
First virtual field trip of the session and we’re headed to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals located in Lincoln, Nebraska – pack a lunch and hop on this “virtual” bus!!!
Forty-one (41) high school and health professional 2020-2021 Health Careers Ambassador students had the opportunity to partake in a virtual field trip led by Diane Ulmer, OTR/L - Spinal Cord Injury Program Manager - from Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals on Saturday, April 10, 2021. Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals remains a national leader in rehabilitation through state-of-the-art innovation, education and generosity for adults and children who have suffered a stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury or complex medical issue.
With an Apple iPad mounted to a rolling cart – we were off on an experience of a lifetime!! Diane Ulmer discussed with the group the importance of a holistic rehabilitative care approach as well as the importance of interdisciplinary care plans, where a team of health professionals from different fields work together to provide the best care/outcome for the patient. One of the best parts was the comprehensive tour of the various forms of rehabilitative equipment, simulations, mock-ups, rehabilitative health professions that were used in the rehabilitative process with patients, i.e. neuro-opticians, simulated kitchens and bathrooms, model cars, mock-ups of bedrooms, etc.
The absolute best portion of the presentation was that of the “patient’s perspective”. The group was joined by a patient (Christa Beth) who had endured several severe injuries due to a major car accident and her road to rehabilitation took place at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals. It was truly amazing to hear firsthand the details surrounding her journey as a patient as well as the obstacles she overcame, due to the health professionals she encountered at the hospital.