The program allows students and residents to serve in rural settings, both filling a provider shortage and spurring interest among budding professionals in rural health care. Their Medquest Health Careers Choices camp has provided health career exploration opportunities to more than 120 students in grades nine through 12. Students learn about a variety of careers from presenters living in the community. These professions include medicine, dentistry, EMT, pharmacy, nursing, occupational and physical therapy, veterinary medicine and naturopathy. During the weeklong camp, participants do at least two job shadows.
Surveys show that more than half of past participants have actively pursued health careers.
Doernbecher Children's Hospital provides pediatric subspecialty traveling clinics in cardiology and endocrinology throughout the state. In Umatilla County, children can visit Doernbecher physicians in Pendleton. For hundreds of families who live outside the Portland metropolitan area, these clinics mean university-quality medical care without leaving home. Assisted Living, West Park Elementary School, Hermiston Child Development Center and Hermiston High School, in Umatilla at Umatilla Head Start and Umatilla County WIC, and in Pendleton at the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The rotation emphasizes community service and is responsive to local requests for dental screenings, educational services and health fairs.