The Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County (MHLC) concluded its 5th year of the Club Scrub Program,  designed to educate and encourage students who have an interest in health care careers.

Club Scrub was designed by the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health for the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative and includes a detailed program outline designed to spark seventh and eighth grade students’ interest in the healthcare sciences.

MHLC started its pilot program with three of the seven Lafayette County school districts in 2010, which included Argyle, Belmont and Darlington for a total of 20 students. In 2011 Shullsburg students joined and in 2012 Benton students came on board, bringing the student total to 38 and in 2013 there were a total of 41 students. 

This year MHLC was very excited to have Black Hawk School students join the Club Scrub Program, bringing the total number of Lafayette County Schools participating to six and the 2014 student total to 44. 

From February through April these students come to MHLC five different days for fun, hands-on 45 minute sessions to learn about healthcare careers side by side with MHLC employees. The rehab, surgery, laboratory, radiology, respiratory therapy and nursing departments were selected to create interactive sessions.

Suturing pig feet, balance activities, casting a fractured arm, asthma demo, microbiology, blood sugar testing, and giving an orange an injection are just a few of the interesting things these lucky students will get to perform during their Club Scrub sessions.

The Memorial Hospital Auxiliary also purchases each participating student a scrub top to wear during each session as a gift for taking part in this excellent opportunity.

The students fill out evaluations to help the hospital improve the program. These students are also encouraged to come back to MHLC during their high school years and job shadow in the departments that they are interested in as career choices.