During the week of June 26th, 2023, The Medical Laboratory Science Division welcomed 43 high school students to the Health Science campus to learn about having a career in MLS.
The Medical Laboratory Science Division Hosts Another Successful Summer Immersion Program
June 2023
During the week of June 26th, 2023, The Medical Laboratory Science Division welcomed 43 high school students to the Health Science campus t0 learn about having a career in MLS.
The year's applicant pool was highly competitive with an average GPA of 3.78. In addition to the numerous applicants from Salt Lake County, many applicants applied from Price, Utah, Summit, Wasatch, and Weber counties. Five applicants applied from California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming. The MLS Division was able to offer stipends to twelve students that were from minority groups, distant locations, or experiencing financial hardship to cover the cost of travel and attendance to the program.
Upon the students arrival on June 16th, they were immediately taught laboratory safety procedures, including donning and doffing personal protective equipment. They spent the rest of the day getting used to the laboratory environment and learning to use some basic equipment such as micropipettes and microscopes.
On the second day, the students were given a broad overview in clinical chemistry, where they covered the main topics that current MLS students learn in the program. Introducing them to the environment of a college lecture was of equal importance to the material. After the first lecture, they were off to the laboratory to perform a total protein clinical chemistry assay and use the information they had learned to diagnose their patient.
The rest of the week followed similarly, with the schedule of an introductory lecture to an MLS subject followed by an experiment in the laboratory. During the week, the students were able to learn about and participate in laboratory activities within clinical chemistry, parasitology, hematology, blood banking, urinalysis, and microbiology. Each day students followed a particular patient in a case study to diagnose the patient's disorder using the results from the laboratory tests they performed.
On the last day, the students walked over to ARUP Laboratories for an extensive tour. The tour allowed students to see what a fully functioning laboratory looks like, along with asking professionals questions about their career and what it is like to be an MLS on a daily basis.
Throughout the week, current MLS students volunteered their time to help assist in the laboratory sessions. "I loved the program so I couldn't wait to help out with SIP. I think MLS is kind of a hidden gem in the world of medicine so any chance I have to tell others about the field, I'll take it," said Meghan Hedrick, a recent MLS graduate.
Students were also given the opportunity to ask questions about coming to the University of Utah and attending the MLS program.
"I loved the work in microbiology and all of the one on one time with the staff. They helped me so much and answered all of my questions and curiosity," - 2023 Participant
Interested in participating next year? View our Summer Immersion Program website and look for application materials beginning in December 2023. Questions regarding the program can be emailed mlssip@path.utah.edu