Promote health in 100 teens in Portland, Oregon

Watching her grandmother slowly succumb to a life-ending illness, Keondra was determined to dedicate her life to creating positive change. Still in high school at the time, she began searching for ways to create a more responsive health care system. Now, an assistant professor and PhD candidate, Keondra is sharing her skills and knowledge to inspire a new generation.

Keondra offered her expertise to MIKE youth at Miller Education Center West (MECW) this week. As she passed around a variety of anatomical teaching aides, Keondra engaged the youth in conversations about health care careers.

“MIKE Program is very interesting," says Keondra. “There aren’t these types of programs back East. There’s little to no guidance for teens.”

MIKE invites professional leaders into the classroom to provide youth with direct opportunities to learn about health careers and educational supports.

Keondra told the youth that it was difficult for her to know how to begin. “When I was your age I didn’t know what to do. I finally found some internships, then pursued more hands-on courses to take me out of my comfort zone.”

Keondra is a visiting professor at Linfield-Good Samaritan School of Nursing. As she introduced herself to MIKE youth at MECW, she described her frustration when dealing with hospital staff who seemed aloof during her grandmother’s time in the hospital. “It was that experience that pointed me to health care,” says Keondra.

After completing her master’s degree in nursing, Keondra began her professional career as a cardiac nurse. She expanded her experience in management, took on a stint in an intensive care unit, then joined the Linfield faculty to teach. In addition to her current job, Keondra is pursuing a doctorate degree, focusing her research on how students learn.

“I’m the only person in my family in health care and the only one with an advanced degree,” says Keondra. “I didn’t have support or resources, so I had to go through a lot of hoops. Now I love sharing resources with others.”

Keondra is part of a national effort to bring teaching through simulation directly to students. She currently serves on the New Leadership Team of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. The national organization supports members and academic efforts to bring life-like props into the classroom for students.

Keondra says the props help her teach students by giving them a chance to learn hands-on skills and techniques. She says some simulations can be more effective than the actual procedure, such as delivering babies. If the woman’s labor extends past the students’ training shift, the students miss out on the event. In the simulation, they get a chance to experience the event within their schedules.

“I start out by telling them to think of the props like monster movie magic,” says Keondra. “The important part of simulations is that it provides the students with the opportunity to make mistakes and learn.

At first the youth winced at some of the life-like props, but soon began picking up the items and asking questions. Keondra encouraged them to explore the feel and texture of the props. She demonstrated how to insert an intravenous (IV) springe into a patient’s arm, describing how the procedure is administered.

Keondra’s demonstration provided the youth with a unique experience to explore health care careers. While Keondra focused on nursing careers, she told the youth that there are many opportunities to consider in the field. “In health care there is so much that you can change within your career field. It gives you the ability to do what you want,” she says.

MIKE’s donors open a world of possibilities to these youth. Thank you.

Links:

• MIKE Program's website