Dr. Juan Mancillas, an obstretician and gynecologist who provides internship experiences for Hanna students, assigns his interns short research papers, using his books and ob-gyn magazines. He will ask them what makes a pap smear abnormal and what screening would predict, or when is it good for a woman to a have a vaginal birth after having a ceasarian section. He also lets students observe ultrasound tests, observe surgery and sit in when he talks with patients, all with the patients consent. Some students have second thoughts about what they want to do after the hand-on career experience. She s doing a lot more work than seniors in the regular program, she said, noting that she s taking calculus, AP English and physics and still kept her grades in the top 5 percent.
Students are quick to express their appreciation for the program s academic rigor.
It s a good working environment. Her friend Selina Orive agreed. If everyone is trying to get ahead, it makes you work harder. Sierra chose the Hanna program over Med High in Mercedes because he could take part in extra-curricular activities. He lettered in tennis for two years, was on the Masterminds team for two years nad took part in drama and Health Occupations Students of America.