Students from the Lightner Y Achievers program through the YMCA of the Triangle stepped into the world of healthcare April 11 during an immersive summit hosted in partnership with the Duke School of Medicine’s Pathways to Purpose program.
The day-long event offered a mix of hands-on learning, career exploration, and mentorship and gave students a firsthand look at the wide range of opportunities within medicine and clinical care.
Participants rotated through interactive sessions focused on specialties such as head and neck surgery, communication sciences, audiology, and clinical support roles. Each station was designed to provide real-world insight into both the technical skills and human-centered aspects of healthcare.
Students practiced scrubbing in for surgical procedures and tried their hand at suturing. Other sessions introduced them to audiology and hearing science, as well as brain health and speech pathology.
They also explored research pathways and learned about the various educational routes that can lead to careers in healthcare.
Each rotation—spanning nursing, audiology, brain health and speech pathology, research, and surgical preparation—helped students see the diversity of roles that contribute to patient care.
As the day concluded, students left not only with new knowledge, but also with a growing sense of possibility about their futures.
The event was made possible through the leadership of program coordinators Leda Scearce and Dr. Trinitia Cannon, along with the support of Duke students and staff who volunteered their time and expertise.