UHS Chenango Memorial to host Career Days in August

Area students will once again have an opportunity to explore careers in healthcare through a unique summer program hosted by UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital.

The Career Days camp, hosted annually by UHS Chenango Memorial with support from the Otis Thompson Foundation, is a two-day, hands-on career exploration program designed for students entering grades 8 through 12. The camp introduces participants to a wide range of healthcare professions through immersive, experiential learning across multiple hospital departments.

“The students get to see and experience so many different aspects of healthcare, including watching an ultrasound, participating in a mock arthroscopic surgery, learning safe patient handling techniques, and so much more,” explained the program’s longtime coordinator, Becky Yacano.

“This exposure can help them decide not only if healthcare is the right path for them, but also what specific area resonates most.”

Though she serves as the hospital’s respiratory therapy supervisor, coordinating the camp has become a personal passion project for Yacano. Her own interest in healthcare began in high school, when her mother was diagnosed with a respiratory illness. She celebrated 35 years at UHS Chenango Memorial in May.

According to Yacano, clinical and non-clinical staff from departments across the hospital play a part in creating the unique experiences that make the camp so impactful.

“It’s our chance to show off what we do and why we do it, and to truly inspire what could be our next generation of healthcare workers,” she said.

This year’s Career Days camp will take place Thursday, August 14 and Friday, August 15. The program is free of charge, but space is limited. Interested students must submit an application and a short essay by Friday, July 18 to be considered.

For more information or to request an application, contact Brian Day, Volunteer and Student Services Manager, at brian.day@nyuhs.org or (607) 337-4151.