Intermountain Press Release

Salt Lake City—How do you get college and high school students excited about future careers in health care? You bring them to a cutting-edge medical center where they meet the leading clinicians in the Intermountain West and see first-hand the incredible scientific and technological advances taking place in medicine.

That's exactly what LDS Hospital is doing.

Hundreds of college and high school students from throughout the region gathered at LDS Hospital on Friday to meet with clinicians, see demonstrations of the latest technological advances, get a hands on experience with scientific projects, and hear about future career opportunities in medicine.

Students saw real healthy hearts, diseased hearts, artificial heart pumps, cardiovascular devices, respiratory technology, laboratory equipment, and other medical advancements.

"It's one thing to go the schools and tell these kids about all the incredible things happening here at LDS Hospital and another for them to see it first-hand," says LDS Hospital administrator Mikelle Moore. "It's one thing to hear about the artificial heart or advances in imaging in an assembly at school and another to come here and see this technology in action and meet the clinicians who are using these devices to save lives."

Students will saw the latest advances and heard about career opportunities in nursing, cardiovascular medicine, respiratory therapy, pharmacy, and radiology and medical imaging. Students were bused to LDS Hospital from schools throughout the state.

"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," says Moore.

LDS Hospital, a Level One trauma center and maqjor research and teaching hospital, employs more than 5,000 people. It has been named one of the best hospitals in America by U.S. News & World Report magazine and is regularly listed as one of the best cardiovascular centers in the country.