Seward seniors participate in job-shadow program

Warwick — John Dymon and Selin Tekin are both seniors at S.S. Seward Institute High School in Florida who have something else in common: both plan to become medical professionals. After graduation, Tekin plans to pursue a career in nursing at Orange County Community College, while Dymon, who would like to become an emergency room physician, has applied for early decision acceptance to Ithaca College, where he will pursue studies in biology and pre-medicine. On Thursday, Nov. 10, both students spent a full day at St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick “shadowing” medical professionals in a real life situation. The Job Shadowing Program gives seniors the opportunity to observe someone working in a business or profession that the student may be considering as a career. Local businesses, organizations and healthcare facilities are asked to invite one or more students to their workplaces to observe and learn that professions demand education, long hours, dedication and hard work. Yvonne Capone, human resources manager and associate director of volunteer services at the hospital, welcomed the two students. They were then assigned to different departments. Dymon headed for the emergency room, where he had an opportunity to closely observe Dr. Robert Dittmeier, chairman and director of the emergency department, and his staff. “I was surprised how busy it gets, and how everyone in the emergency room works together as a team to help the patient,” said Dymon. Tekin was introduced to Rita Ruhl, R.N., at the hospital’s Kennedy Birthing Center. Yvonne Capone then arranged for Tekin to observe some of the daily activities at all of the various nursing stations including the Medical Surgical Unit and the Intensive Care Unit. Later she met Jeff Reilly, vice president of administration and also a registered nurse, who offered suggestions. “There was so much more to being a nurse than I had ever imagined. I now have a much better idea of which area of nursing I prefer,” said Tekin. Barbara Scherbling, a teacher at S.S. Seward Institute who is in charge of the school’s Job Shadowing Program, added, “The cooperation we received from all the people at St. Anthony Community Hospital was extraordinary. The kids came away with a new perspective on their future careers.”