AIMS Program Brings Adventures in Medicine and Science to Life for Students
The Adventures in Medicine and Science Program (AIMS), the educational outreach component of Practical Anatomy and Surgical Education for the SLU School of Medicine, welcomed 42 high school students for its annual Medical and Surgical Procedures Summer Workshop.
Campers from around the region, and even as far away as China and Bangladesh, participated in a week of medical presentations, comparative anatomy dissections and hands-on labs.
One highlight of the week was a surgical demonstration by Michael Williams, M.D., the program director for SLU’s General Surgery Resident Program and former AIMS camper. Williams performed an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair and Carotid Endarterectomy for the campers.
Additional highlights included campers learning four different suturing techniques, practicing endotracheal intubations on adult and infant anatomical models and hearing from doctors and healthcare professionals from a diverse range of medical specialties such as neurosurgery, forensic pathology, oculoplastics, dermatology, physical therapy, pediatric cardiology and emergency medicine.
The Medical and Surgical Procedures Summer Workshop is just one part of the AIMS Program’s educational outreach. Every year, 7,000 middle and high school students come to Young Hall for auditorium presentations, cadaver demonstrations and comparative anatomy dissections that bring lessons of anatomy, medicine, science and wellness to life.
Additionally, AIMS Program educators conduct 200 distance learning sessions for schools all across North America.