Intermountain Press Release

Salt Lake City—They are the next generation of surgeons, cardiologists, genetic scientists, nurses, pharmacists, and family physicians. Hundreds of Utah high school and college students, many who dream of a career in medicine, got a "hands-on" look at the latest medical technology, met leading clinicians, and even handled a human heart Friday during LDS Hospital's fifth annual career fair symposium for students.

More than 1,100 students from 35 high schools, middle schools and colleges throughout the Wasatch Front were bused to LDS Hospital for the event. Clinicians from a variety of departments at LDS Hospital set up booths in the hospital's Education Center where students learned about artificial heart technology, advances in organ transplantation, careers in nursing, developments in digital imaging, and many other areas of medicine. Leading physicians and clinical researchers from LDS Hospital will spoke to students about exciting career opportunities in medicine.

"It's one thing to go to schools and tell these kids about all the incredible things happening in medicine and another for them to see it first-hand in a clinical setting where technology, expertise and dedication combine to save lives on a daily basis," says LDS Hospital administrator Mikelle Moore.

It's vital to get high school-aged students excited about futures in medicine, especially in Utah, where physician and nursing shortages are expected to heighten in the coming decades. "There are more career choices in medicine than ever before, but we have to reach these students early, while they are deciding what they want they want to do professionally," says Moore.

"There is a significant shortage of professionals throughout the country in respiratory therapy, pharmacy, and many technical medicine areas. It's vital that we continually look to educate the next generation of health care professionals about the exciting opportunities available in medicine," she says.

Intermountain's LDS Hospital, a Level One trauma center and major research and teaching hospital, employs nearly 5,700 people. Last year it again was named one of the best hospitals in America by U.S. News & World Report magazine and is regularly listed as one of the top heart centers in the country.