Number
818
Name
Anatomy Outreach to High School Students: Early Engagement in Healthcare Careers Through Student-Led Program
Date & Time
Monday, June 8, 2026, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Location Name
Oglethorpe Ballroom
Speakers
Authors
Christina Grannie, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
Tamanna Dhore, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
Shelby Oke, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
Abigail Kostolansky, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
Laura Shackelford, Ph.D., Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
Wessam Ibrahim, M.D., Ph.D., MEHP, Biomedical and Translational Sciences, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
James Swigart, Biomedical and Translational Sciences, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
Presentation Topic(s)
Technology and Innovation
Description
PURPOSE
High school students’ interest in healthcare careers is often limited by
minimal exposure to anatomy before college. Consequently, students who
ultimately pursue health-related careers may do so only after changing majors
or through family influence. This gap highlights the need for innovative,
early educational experiences that foster curiosity and confidence in health
sciences. The Anatomy Outreach Group (AOG), a student-led organization at
Carle Illinois College of Medicine (CIMED), was founded to provide high
school students with early, engaging anatomy experiences that promote
interest in science and healthcare careers before college matriculation.
METHODS
The program conducted twelve events featuring interactive stations,
including human anatomy prosections for five organ systems (heart, lungs,
brain, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal) and augmented reality. Each
station was guided by medical students who had completed the CIMED human
anatomy dissection course. Participants completed pre- and post-event surveys
assessing their understanding of anatomy, prior exposure to anatomy, interest
in healthcare careers, and perceived attainability of a healthcare career.
Survey responses were analyzed and stratified by grade level and ethnicity.
RESULTS
Surveys from each of the 12 events were analyzed. Most respondents reported
no prior exposure to human anatomy through lecture or
dissection/prosection-based courses. Post-event surveys showed increases in
anatomy-related confidence and interest in pursuing anatomy-focused
coursework and healthcare careers. Subgroup analyses indicated that Hispanic/Latino
and Black/African American students demonstrated the most significant gains
in healthcare career interest and perceived approachability of these careers.
CONCLUSIONS
Anatomy-focused outreach for high school students appears to foster early
engagement in biology and healthcare sciences and may particularly benefit
students from groups underrepresented in healthcare. The AOG model of CIMED
offers a practical framework for institutions seeking to implement
interactive, equity-minded healthcare learning experiences. Planned expansion
targets additional audiences, including undergraduate and middle school
students.
High school students’ interest in healthcare careers is often limited by
minimal exposure to anatomy before college. Consequently, students who
ultimately pursue health-related careers may do so only after changing majors
or through family influence. This gap highlights the need for innovative,
early educational experiences that foster curiosity and confidence in health
sciences. The Anatomy Outreach Group (AOG), a student-led organization at
Carle Illinois College of Medicine (CIMED), was founded to provide high
school students with early, engaging anatomy experiences that promote
interest in science and healthcare careers before college matriculation.
METHODS
The program conducted twelve events featuring interactive stations,
including human anatomy prosections for five organ systems (heart, lungs,
brain, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal) and augmented reality. Each
station was guided by medical students who had completed the CIMED human
anatomy dissection course. Participants completed pre- and post-event surveys
assessing their understanding of anatomy, prior exposure to anatomy, interest
in healthcare careers, and perceived attainability of a healthcare career.
Survey responses were analyzed and stratified by grade level and ethnicity.
RESULTS
Surveys from each of the 12 events were analyzed. Most respondents reported
no prior exposure to human anatomy through lecture or
dissection/prosection-based courses. Post-event surveys showed increases in
anatomy-related confidence and interest in pursuing anatomy-focused
coursework and healthcare careers. Subgroup analyses indicated that Hispanic/Latino
and Black/African American students demonstrated the most significant gains
in healthcare career interest and perceived approachability of these careers.
CONCLUSIONS
Anatomy-focused outreach for high school students appears to foster early
engagement in biology and healthcare sciences and may particularly benefit
students from groups underrepresented in healthcare. The AOG model of CIMED
offers a practical framework for institutions seeking to implement
interactive, equity-minded healthcare learning experiences. Planned expansion
targets additional audiences, including undergraduate and middle school
students.
Presentation Tag(s)
Student Presentation