August 13, 2001
Contact: Steve Townsend, (313) 577-1429, stownsen@med.wayne.edu

Local hospitals offer unique opportunities to Detroit high school students

DPS students to be recognized Wednesday at WSU

Twenty-one Detroit Public Schools students spent their summer earning good money and gaining valuable insight into medical professions, thanks to a unique program sponsored by a consortium of local hospitals in cooperation with Detroit Public Schools and Wayne State University School of Medicine.

The OHEP Scholars Program allows high school students to work full-time throughout the summer at area hospitals. The program was designed to give interested students a feel for medical careers. This was achieved by offering hands-on experience assisting in the hospital setting and the chance to interact with medical professionals.

Students received a stipend made possible by a grant from member institutions of the OHEP Center for Medical Education. OHEP is a consortium of Detroit-area hospitals that work together, along with Wayne State University School of Medicine to facilitate medical education. OHEP and its member hospitals, including the Detroit Medical Center, St. John Health System and Henry Ford Hospital, worked with WSU School of Medicine and Detroit Public Schools administrators to develop the program.

Students will be reporting on their experiences this Wednesday, Aug. 15, at WSU’s Scott Hall. Student presentations will begin at 8 a.m. and will be followed by a luncheon and awards ceremony at noon. Please call (313) 577-1429 for more information.