High school students explore healthcare field through annual Camp Med Summer Program

Posted on the Watauga Democrat (8/25/26)

Local high school students in grades 9-12 gained valuable insight into the healthcare field during Ashe Memorial Hospital’s annual Camp Med Summer Program July 13-17.

Twenty-one students from Ashe County High School, Ashe Early College and Alleghany High School participated in this year’s camp, which was designed to expose students to the various aspects of medicine and potential career opportunities available to them should they decide to pursue a career in healthcare.

“I had an amazing experience,” Ashe County High School sophomore Caroline Riley said. “This camp made me realize I 100% want a job in healthcare. I learned and saw so much. I would recommend this experience to anyone interested in healthcare.”

Over the course of the week, students participated in a variety of healthcare related events and activities, including job shadowing, learning assessment skills like manual blood pressures and identifying different lung sounds, learning how to use an EpiPen and hearing presentations from department leaders on Rehabilitation Services, Respiratory, Oncology and Surgical Services. They also became certified in a “Stop the Bleed” trauma course.

Additionally, students enjoyed learning more about emergency medicine services while touring an ambulance and helicopter during visits with Ashe Medics and AirCare. They also traveled to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem to learn all about the different aspects of pathology.

“Camp Med is wonderful opportunity to expose local students to the vast opportunities in the world of healthcare, said Angel Gouge, education manager for Ashe Memorial Hospital.

“Our Camp Med Summer Program at Ashe Memorial Hospital allows students to begin to discover if this is the career path for them. These students get some well-rounded exposure to all avenues of healthcare, including how to care for patients with compassion and purpose.“

We often have students who enjoy their experience so much that they return summer after summer through their high school years, and we have seen many go on to college in pursuit of a healthcare career because of the experiences they got from Camp Med,” Gouge added. “We couldn’t be prouder of our local young generation as they forge their paths in healthcare.”

Through the Camp Med Summer Program, students are able to engage in discussions, gain valuable knowledge and skills and network with healthcare professionals in the hopes of discovering whether or not they may want to pursue a career in the healthcare field in the future. The application process for Ashe Memorial Hospital’s Camp Med Summer Program typically begins in late February and runs through the end of March.

 The Camp Med Summer Program is an annual weeklong experience provided by the Northwest Area Health Education Center (AHEC), a program of Wake Forest School of Medicine and part of the NC AHEC System. The camp is open to all high school students and is designed particularly for those who have an interest in a career in the health sciences. 

Learn more about Camp Med