DISCUSSING THE FUTURE — Seth Biacco, a Steubenville High School graduate and cardiac catherization lab nurse, along with Dr. Muhammed Yasin of Trinity West Medical Center, visited students in Eliza Kelley’s health informatics class at Pugliese STEM Academy on Feb. 11. The get-together at the new Steubenville CIty School District building was for the purpose of discussing potential health care careers with students upon their graduation from high school. Some of the students said they are looking forward to a career in the medical field, with the health professionals engaging in conversations with them about heart-related topics. Kelley’s class has been discussing heart-related conditions as part of introducing students to the fact that February is recognized as being American Heart Month, -- Contributed

tudents at the Pugliese STEM Academy who may have an interest in getting into the health care field following graduation, received a visit from the cardiology staff at Trinity Medical Center West Feb. 11.

Seth Biacco, a graduate of Steubenville High School and cardiac catherization laboratory nurse, joined Dr. Muhammed Yasin in a visit to Eliza Kelley’s health informatics course one class.

The health professionals discussed with students about having a potential career in the health field, as well as the advancements that have been made throughout the years.

Health informatics is a multi-disciplinary field that integrates information technology, data science and health care, to enhance the quality and efficiency of patient care and health services.

February is American Heart Month. This was the topic of discussion for the better part of the visit.

Through the use of Play-Doh, students were able to complete a project in which they transformed the child’s toy into models that represented either a healthy heart or a heart having a various medical condition.

Each student had the opportunity to explain their work to the medical professionals.

Yasin said medicine led him from Pakistan to a career abroad in America. He explained his first experience was as a foreign exchange student in 2008. He returned eight years later to work in West Virginia and has been at Trinity West for the past 14 months.

“I like the opportunity to interact as much as I can,” Yasin said. “There are so many opportunities in health care and there has been a growth in the scientific field. It will encourage you to choose something as a career in the future. There will always be career opportunities.”

Yasin said his goal is to engage with the community — especially youth — and show there is always a need for help in the health sector.

“This STEM program provides them the opportunity to have the ability and evidence-based learning in how they approach education,” he continued. “If these methods are applied to science, biology and health care, there will be more students engaged in medicine.”

Biacco stated he enjoyed returning to his roots at Big Red to share in his experiences. He noted he was inspired by his grandmothers, who were both nurses, and had an interest in the inner workings of the human body.

“Health care is a field that is continuing to grow,” Biacco stated. “It’s great to see we’re getting kids interested in school so early. It’s a great resource. I’ve always been fascinated with the cardiovascular system and got into nursing. So many kids coming from high school don’t know what they want to do and this program gives them direction.”

Kelley explained health informatics is a project-based learning program, with studies evolving every year. Her course one class introduces students to researching data, while course two teaches students to protect the data.

Course three centers on disseminating information, and course four enables students to develop their portfolio to be career-ready.

Kelley said having Trinity representatives speak to her class spurred an interaction where students could learn what jobs are available to them.

“This was a wonderful event where students and guests were engaged,” Kelley commented. “Project-based learning is something I know keeps students involved and actively searching for the correct information. We’re really proud of our students and it’s good to do events like this.”

Several of her students remarked they are already looking at a career in the health field. Each said the school’s program is “definitely beneficial to them.”

“We learn all about the body and the human structure,” said Tanajah Patton, who hopes to become an ultrasound technician.

Classmate Veronica Miller wants to be a veterinarian or medical examiner. She said she is currently learning about how the body operates and finds it interesting.

Shalecia Barbee would like to work as a pediatric nurse. She said she has been learning a lot about the subject of teamwork.

“We are doing a lot of research about the body, and about health,” Barbee said. “We do a lot of teamwork. We’re learning to work together and help work with other people.”

Terionah Bickerstaff is hoping to become an obstetrics nurse, while Ava Bracone said she wants to be a cardiovascular perfusionist. Both noted they enjoy learning about the field of medicine.

“It helps me and I’m learning a lot about the human body,” Bickerstaff said.

“I like that we’re learning how to use technology as its advancing in the medical field,” Bracone added.