High school students from underrepresented communities in Arizona are participating in a program that helps them explore careers in health care and learn prevention techniques about heart disease. Students will be able to test their clinical and research skills in the lab while learning about a heart healthy lifestyle.

The program is being led by Martha Gulati, MD, MS, division chief of cardiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, and a national expert about women’s heart health.

Students will learn the basic anatomy and physiology of the heart and arteries, perform a dissection of a pig heart, and participate in hands-on clinical workshops to learn about the electrophysiology of the heart and devices like defibrillators and pacemakers.

The Irene H. Bailey Cardiology Academy is a five-day program taking place this week at the medical school. Sixteen high school seniors who have an interest in science will learn and apply science skills in the laboratory, explore the variety of career choices in medicine and develop mentoring relations with health care professionals.

As part of the academy, students will participate in a daily, one-hour personal training session led by a certified personal trainer that included cardiovascular and strength training exercises. They will keep food diaries to track their nutritional intake, which they will review with a dietician and create individualized plans to add healthier foods to their diet.

“This program is designed to instill a respect and love in high school students for the science and art of medicine, focusing on cardiology,” Dr. Gulati said. “This is a unique opportunity to make these young minds interested in the most important area of medicine." College of Medicine – Phoenix and Banner Health faculty and staff along with parents and family members of the academy participants will celebrate students’ completion of the program on Friday, March 13 where students will be awarded a certificate and lab coat.

By Teresa Joseph