Amityville Memorial High School students learned about dozens of job possibilities in the healthcare field during the first Medical Career Day on May 24. The fair was coordinated by Northwell Health’s Plainview and Syosset hospitals.

At a medical career fair in the gymnasium, students were able to visit tables to learn about different healthcare departments including radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, patient experience, human resources, marketing and communications, food and nutrition, dental and many more. 

“What makes Medical Career Day unique is that students have the opportunity to learn about so many different careers in healthcare, not just clinical ones,” said Christine Patti, Plainview and Syosset hospital’s community relations director. “Any position that they can think of can relate back to healthcare and is featured at Northwell Health.”

There were several interactive activities. At the dermatology station, students could look into a DermaScan machine, which used a LED black light to show sun damage on their skin. The occupational therapist table had a game of Jenga in which students had to use their non-dominant hand to remove the pieces. They could also practice hands-on CPR on dummies, and see the various instruments used by doctors and nurses.

South Oaks Hospital of Amityville had information about its art therapy program and Project C.A.R.E., its team-building adventure course. Doctors, nurses and other professionals led workshops in the library and auditorium on various topics such as healthy lifestyles, coping with anxiety and how to obtain careers in nutrition, pharmacy and healthcare finance. Students heard from people with military backgrounds who have transitioned into healthcare and from a doctor who immigrated to the United States and became one of the nation’s leading cardiologists. 

“The range of options out there for our students is amazing, and they were recently able to learn about these opportunities from the experts,” said Principal Maria Andreotti. “Students took advantage of this hands-on experience to engage in conversations with some of the leading healthcare professionals. They learned that they can achieve anything if they work hard and set their mind to it.”