Several cadets at Sarasota Military Academy (SMA), a local public charter school, have recently completed an oncology rotation through an internship partnership with Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
SMA cadets who complete the SMA Careers in Medicine course are given the opportunity to participate in the SMA/SMH internship program and shadow staff at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Rotations include surgery, genetic counseling, nursing and trauma, among other fields.
Cadets Holly Batchelder and Meghan Schutte, seniors at Sarasota Military Academy, are the most recent cadets to complete the internship which includes a 12-week rotation in the Oncology department. The partnership began through coordinated efforts by Dr. Jessica Patella, Sarasota Military Academy Science Instructor, Dr. James Fiorica, Sarasota Memorial Hospital Chief Medical Officer and Barbara Poropat, BSN, who serves as the primary internship coordinator and facilitator.
“We were so excited to be selected for the internship with Sarasota Memorial Hospital to learn about our futures in the medical field,” said SMA Cadet Holly Batchelder. “We were able to see what working at a hospital is really like through this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s eye-opening to see the variety of career opportunities in a hospital environment.”
In order to be considered for the internship, cadets must complete the Careers in Medicine course at SMA, led by Dr. Jessica Patella, fill out an application and interview before a panel. The experience is modeled after medical school interviews to prepare them for future opportunities.
“One of the most unique elements about being a part of Sarasota Military Academy is that instructors are encouraged to be creative and innovative in our efforts to go beyond the traditional classroom curriculum,” said Dr. Jessica Patella. ”Through this invaluable partnership, cadets who show a passion for the medical field have an incredible opportunity to experience the field first-hand and make connections with incredibly talented local doctors and staff.”
Out of 13 cadets who applied for the upcoming internship opportunity, SMA cadets Lukas Souza, Jonathan Barroso and Isabella Evans were recently selected as the next group of interns to participate in this program during the spring semester.
About Sarasota Military Academy
Founded in 2002, Sarasota Military Academy (SMA) is a public charter school and college preparatory academy with two campuses located in Sarasota, Florida. Combining extraordinary academics with the highest military principles of camaraderie, focus, leadership, integrity, compassion, poise, honor and respect, SMA’s mission is to graduate young men and women who will confidently define their personal and unique goals for success in a multi-cultural and globalized world. Sarasota Military Academy High School is located at 801 N. Orange Avenue and Sarasota Military Academy Prep Middle School, is located at 3101 Bethel Lane. To learn more about SMA, visit http://www.sarasotamilitaryacademy.org/.
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