STATS Program

In March of 2003, 13 first year PA students took advantage of the opportunity to participate in the STATS program in conjunction with the medical school students. STATS, Students Teaching Aids To Students, is sponsored by the American Medical Association and the American Medical Student Association.

Working in pairs or small groups, students taught sessions at four area high schools. The teenage students were entertained and stimulated by games, thoughtful questions, and situational vignettes. The floor was opened to anonymous questions via blank note cards each student had to return. Questions about HIV and sexually transmitted infections ranged from risk factors and transmission to virus origin. The high school students seemed to appreciate direct answers and clinical knowledge our PA Student instructors provided.

The general consensus from our PA student instructors was positive; most enjoyed the interaction with this critical at-risk age group and felt most of the educational goals of the project were met. The real question is, “How many Li’s did you have to investigate and research prior to teaching HIV awareness?” It is safe to say that each participant was able to learn something from the teenagers. After our group discussion, the PA class understood what it means to “get knowledge” (slang for oral sex; thanks to Kristina and her sessions with the Dangerous Minds class)!

The following students were participants: Erich Grant, Michelle Babcock, Alisha Tomlison, Stephanie Taylor, Krissi Williams, Jackie Rowland, Melissa Schoder, Allison Smith, Heidi Campbell, Paula Stuart, Christy Bracken, Kristina Paabo, and Andre Huie. A special thank you is in order to Andre Huie for being our “point man” in coordinating this opportunity. This is definitely an example of the caliber of our PA students and their dedication to improving the health of our community through education and outreach.
Respectfully submitted by Krissi Williams.