Greenwich Hospital’s Youth Access Program breaks down barriers for local high school students

GREENWICH, CT (July 29, 2024) - For the second year in a row, Greenwich Hospital welcomed high school students from Westchester and Fairfield Counties to its campus for the Youth Access Healthcare Explorers program. Expanding upon last year’s pilot program, this year’s project was built on a mission-based effort to bring in students who may face disproportionate barriers to working with health care leaders. Students were at the hospital for five days for an immersive, innovative introduction to heath care that featured teaching sessions and hands-on activities. 

Designed by Greenwich Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer Karen Santucci, MD; Director of Volunteer Services Stacey Green; and the program’s founding donor Felice Zwas, MD; the program included an array of diverse health care lessons including hands-only CPR, sprain care, ultrasounds, administering EpiPens and more. 

“We designed the curriculum to be equally challenging and rewarding for the students,” said Dr. Santucci. “I’m humbled by the efforts of Dr. Zwas, Ms. Green and the rest of the Greenwich Hospital staff who contributed their valuable time to create an enriching experience. After spending a week with these bright, inquisitive young adults, I am confident the future of health care is in good hands.” 

The week also provided an opportunity for the students to participate in two medical simulation sessions. These were high points for many of the students involved. 

“It was really cool,” said Ashley Jarama about the simulations. “I never experienced anything like that.” The recent Port Chester High School graduate plans to use the lessons she learned during the week and apply them as a nursing student at Long Island University in the fall.

One of the most valuable experiences during the week involved round robin discussions with doctors from various disciplines. Melanie Maurad, another recent Port Chester High School graduate, saw it as a chance to learn from, and connect with, those in a field she plans on pursuing. Melanie is studying at the College Holy Cross in the fall and aspires to become an anesthesiologist.

Along with the scheduled curriculum, students were kept on their toes and thrown into situations they did not expect – an occurrence all too common in health care. “Dr. Santucci had a lot of surprises for us,” said Emma Belluscio. One of those surprises included a fake emergency with three patients in anaphylaxis. “We thought it was very real,” she said. Emma just graduated from Darien High School and will be attending Quinnipiac University in the fall. She has an interest in multiple areas of health care, so the week allowed her to explore different options as she considers obtaining either a nursing or medical degree. 

This year’s program was made possible through a generous donation from Dr. Zwas, and her wife, Sarah Gallen. The gift, in honor of Dr. Zwas’ parents, recognizes the importance of education with the goal of fostering the career aspirations of today’s local high school students. Dr Zwas’ parents were Holocaust survivors who were dedicated to creating opportunities for those dealing with circumstantial limitations. 

Greenwich Hospital is a member of Yale New Haven Health. Greenwich is a 206-bed (includes 32 isolettes) community hospital serving lower Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York. It is a academic affiliate of Yale School of Medicine. Since opening in 1903, Greenwich Hospital has evolved into a progressive medical center and teaching institution representing all medical specialties and offering a wide range of medical, surgical, diagnostic and wellness programs. Greenwich Hospital is recognized throughout the healthcare industry as a leader in service and patient satisfaction excellence. Greenwich Hospital has the prestigious Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the nation’s highest honor of nursing excellence. www.greenwichhospital.org