OSAGE BEACH, Mo. — Eldon Career Center students Crystal Diebold, Paige Benjamin and Courtney Scheulen recently presented Maria Bernabe, M.D., FAAP, a pediatrician at Lake Regional Clinic – Eldon, with a card and photo gift to thank her for assisting them with their SkillsUSA Health Sciences Career Pathway Showcase project. The students won their district and state competitions and will compete in the national SkillsUSA in Louisville, Ky., in June.
The students’ winning project focused on educating the community about the use of epinephrine shots to treat anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction that has a rapid onset and can be fatal. The students created an interactive presentation demonstrating a needle-free epinephrine autoinjector and delivered the presentation to more than 300 students at an open house event. The students also created a pamphlet and attended a Parents as Teachers group to share information on when and how to introduce new foods to babies to limit allergic responses.
“It’s a very impressive project, and the students could not have done it without Dr. Bernabe,” said Rebecca Dickerson, Health Occupations instructor for Eldon Career Center. “Dr. Bernabe was incredibly generous with her time and was a big part of their success.”
Dr. Bernabe met with the students to provide them with evidence-based information on anaphylaxis.
“I am honored to help these students become successful adults who will in turn give back to our community,” Dr. Bernabe said. “I found their talent and natural leadership to be amazing.”
Lake Regional Clinic – Eldon regularly partners with Eldon Career Center to provide students in the health occupations class job shadowing experiences.
Lake Regional Health System provides comprehensive health care services to the residents and visitors of the lake region. The hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission and is a three-time recipient of the Missouri Quality Award. Lake Regional Health System also operates primary care, urgent care, specialty care and rehab therapy clinics; retail pharmacies; and home health services throughout the lake area.
