February 23, 2007

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — Teenagers, research projects, classroom lectures and weekend mornings are usually not seen in the same sentence, let alone in real life. But for a group of students from Sacramento High's School of Math, Engineering and Health Sciences, having the opportunity to take a series of classes taught by UC Davis School of Medicine students is the chance of a lifetime.

Saturday, February 24, marks the second of four weekend days in which these young students will be attending UC Davis School of Medicine in Sacramento. Known as “Saturday Academy,” the program is a unique effort founded in 2001 by a group of first-year medical students who wanted to reach out to groups that are underrepresented in health-care professions.

The mini-medical school courses range from anatomy and radiology to physical exams, cardiology and scientific research. Adding to the realism of the program, all of the coursework and activities take place in the school's new medical education facilities, which include high-tech classrooms and lecture hall. This week the students will focus on the gastrointestinal tract.

First-year medical students Zhanetta Malko, Dawn Sung and Conor Schaye are coordinating this year's academy, with assistance from the school's outreach office and others. Classes and lectures highlight subjects that the medical students themselves are currently studying.

Saturday Academy is part of a multi-year partnership between UC Davis Health System and Sacramento High. In addition to providing students with realistic experiences in medicine, the health system has helped develop a school curriculum, provided physicians and nurse mentors and offered professional development opportunities for teachers.

Where: UC Davis School of Medicine Education Building, 4610 X Street (corner of 45th & X streets, Sacramento).

When: Saturday, February 24. 10:30 - 11:40 a.m. Students arrive at 10 a.m. for introductions and a morning lecture. Their first “rotation” in medicine begins at 11 a.m.

Visual Opportunities: Students get hands-on experiences during their “rotations.” This week they'll view pig intestines during the anatomy session. The physical exam section will be on learning to take vitals such as blood pressure, temperature and heartbeat. The radiology rotation includes viewing digital images on classroom monitors.