Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 24 : Spring 2015 | Page 26

the past has been a disaster drill, which gave campers the Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic
opportunity to respond to patients the same as they would Medicine in Harrogate, Tennessee.
during a high stress, critical care situation.
Healthcare careers offer numerous benefits to those that
“The camp was absolutely amazing,” recalled Michelle choose them, including well-paying jobs, community
Osgood of Easton, who attended the inaugural camp in respect, and job availability. By encouraging local youth
2003. “From the very first day, we were racing wheelchairs to enter into these careers, not only do they enjoy those
through the hallways and touring the usually ‘off-limits’ benefits, but the region gains as well if they stay in the area.
part of the hospital - the operating room, cardiovascular The time, energy and finances dedicated to offering the
lab, etc.” And the week kept getting better, according to program as seen as an investment in both the region and in
Osgood. By the end of the camp, Osgood remembers, “I TAMC’s future workforce.
knew then that medicine was for me – I was hooked.”
‘Homegrown’ healthcare eliminates surprise about the local
By discovering that before entering her freshman year in area, according to Dottie Wheeler, director of primary care/
high school, Osgood said she was better prepared to take patient centered medical home at TAMC.
the classes she needed to get her on her way.
“They already have a vested interest in the County and our
“Survivor Aroostook is designed at the perfect time for community,” said Wheeler. “They understand the County
students - as they enter high school, they can plan the way of life, the way the people think, and are under no
courses they need to take in order to be successfully prepared false assumptions as to the way of life here in Northern
for college and major in whatever desired occupation they Aroostook. They have family ties and [have] most likely
may have in mind,” said Osgood. “I met with my guidance put down roots that will insure their longevity.”
counselor and shared with her my experiences from Survivor;
she set me up on a college preparatory course load, and I Since its inception, more than 600 County youth have
was determined to take even the hardest of classes in order taken part in the camp, and an estimated 25 percent of
those campers have gone on to pursue health careers.
to be prepared for college.”
Osgood graduated valedictorian from Easton High School
in 2007 and received Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology
and Chemistry from Husson University in 2011. Since
many medical schools highly recommend working in the
medical field to gain direct patient care experience prior to
applying, Osgood worked at the TAMC emergency room
as a CNA/Monitor Technician after graduation. Osgood
is now working toward her medical degree at Lincoln

24

SPRING 2015

Survivor Aroostook XVIII will take place this June. The
camp accepts 60 students each year on a first-come, firstserve basis. Thanks to the support of numerous generous
sponsors, the cost to attend Survivor Aroostook is only
$150, which covers lodging, meals, and all activities.
Anyone interested in learning more about the camp can
contact Lynn Turnbull at [phone] or lturnbull@
tamc.org, or visit Facebook.com/SurvivorAroostook.