LA GRANDE, Ore.-The Northeast Oregon Area Health Education Center (NEOAHEC) is holding two online question and answer sessions regarding upcoming free MedQuest summer camps.
The online sessions on March 18 and 19 are intended to introduce high school students, parents and educators to the 2025 MedQuest Rural and Frontier Camps for students interested in medical careers in Oregon’s rural and frontier communities.
“Access to healthcare in rural and frontier communities is essential, yet these areas often face provider shortages that make it harder for residents to receive timely care,” said Carissa Cummings, Administrative Coordinator for NOAHEC. “Programs like MedQuest help address this gap by inspiring and preparing local residents to become healthcare professionals in their own communities.”
Those planning to attend the question-and-answer sessions are asked to RSVP and links will be emailed on the day of the sessions.
Founded in 1991, NEOAHEC is a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the shortage of healthcare workers in rural Oregon by developing its own health professionals that reflect the needs of the communities they serve.
NEOAHEC has offered MedQuest camps since 1994, expanding from a week-long camp in La Grande, to include a second overnight camp in Crane/Burns, as well as shorter day-camp experiences.
Cost was always an impediment to some students being able to attend the camps, according to Cummings, however, NEOAHEC will be able to offer the camps free-of-charge to interested students for the next two years, thanks to funding from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
MedQuest Camps offer students hands-on activities and presentations led by current practicing healthcare providers, as well as recreation opportunities from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. each day.
According to NEOAHEC, students will also be able to job shadow healthcare professionals, as well as learn how to take vitals, suture, stop bleeding, perform CPR and how to properly take Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on and off.
“By training providers who understand the unique challenges of rural healthcare, we strengthen the long-term health and well-being of these regions,” said Cummings.
MedQuest virtual Q&A sessions
March 18: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
March 19: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
