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MUSC reps visit schools to promote careers by Matthew Douglas Public Relations Fifth graders at Charleston’s Mitchell Elementary School threw a barrage of questions at visiting MUSC faculty and staff Jan. 17. How are babies born? What do you do if the helicopter crashes? How many years do you have to go to school to be a nurse? These are but a few of the questions fielded in six Charleston County District 20 elementary schools in the annual event designed to create a youthful interest in the health professions. As representatives of each field took turns visiting classrooms and introducing their respective career fields, the fifth graders learned about the jobs of nurses, orthopaedic and dental technicians, or dietitians, and about careers in sports medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, environmental health management and others.   “The students asked a lot of good questions,” said MUSC radiologist Linus Brown. Students hear answers that their teachers hope will encourage them to study hard and plan for a career. “How long does it take to become a doctor? Do you like giving shots? Representatives of other career fields talked to classrooms filled with 20 to 30 students. MUSC also sent Public Safety officers, a risk management expert and a hospital admissions expert. “MUSC seeks to create partnerships with schools in the area,” said Sabra Slaughter, Ph.D., the president’s chief of staff. “This way students can see at an early age how obtainable the professions spoken about can be.” “MUSC has been involved in a number of programs for older students in Charleston County,” said program coordinator Susan Carullo, Medical Center manager of employment compensation. “The goal is to expose them to the many careers and employment opportunities at MUSC.” What I Want to Be Charleston Progressive  Joni Monroe—EKG; Stan Porterfield—Lab Services; and Brenda Bailey—Health Information  Memminger  Bob Waite—Public Safety; Gaynell Magwood—Community Health; Kathy Hood and Nancy Lamb—Dental Technician and Anaplastologist; and Dr. George Tempel— Physiology  James Simmons  Ros Brown—Respiratory Therapy; Archie Reed, Amanda Jager, Mark Gouda—Medical Center Security; James Simuel—Radiation Safety; and Renee Garrison, Jennifer Parrish—Physical Therapy  Buist Academy  Marc Williams—EEG; Laurie Uebelhoer—CRNA; and Chloe Backman—Risk Management  Fraser Dr. Varsha Bandisode—Pediatric Cardiology; Jim Tomsic—Sports Medicine; and Ann Benton—Occupational Therapy  Mitchell  Linus Brown—Radiology; Laurie Hermann, English Salisbury-Myers, Lee Williford—Meducare; Suzanne Runtz—Nutrition; and Paul Bush, Heather Kokko, Kuldip Patel, Suzanne Berkman—Pharmacy. Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.