ECHO services the entire Western Maryland region, including Garrett, Allegany, Washington and Frederick Counties. ECHO is the only summer residential program in the Western Maryland region that provides hands-on, interactive experiences with and exposure to a broad spectrum of health careers. As a Western Maryland AHEC signature health careers pipeline program, now entering its 18th year, ECHO’s purpose is to provide rising 10th through 12th graders hands on experiences while exploring a wide variety of health careers, in order to nurture an interest in becoming health professionals who ultimately practice in an underserved community, preferably in the Western Maryland region. During this week-long educational program, 10th – 12th grade students participate in tours with University of Maryland Baltimore, Western Maryland Health System, Allegany County Health Department, and Maryland State Police Trooper Five. ECHO 101 students participate in a white-water rafting adventure and other team-building activities. At the University of Maryland Baltimore, surgical simulators entice students to act as a real-life surgeon while practicing surgical procedures on the same equipment medical professional’s use. Students also visit Shock Trauma and the Cadaver Lab – two of the most highly rated destinations, according to student feedback. Other experiences include a Geriatric simulation, job shadowing at a local nursing and rehabilitation facility, first-aid and CPR certification, and many other tours at local health facilities. Participants live in a dorm at Frostburg State University for the entire week and experience firsthand what it is like to live on a college campus. For students who have graduated from ECHO 101 and wish to pursue health career exploration, we offer ECHO 201 which consists of intensive job shadowing with a professional in the student’s discipline of interest. Recruiting is done through small and personal presentations in each of the high school science classes. In addition, a web-page, brochure, flyer and page will be available. Flyers are posted in local doctor’s offices and county libraries. Since ECHO reaches applicant capacity, priority is given to students who are going to be first generation college entrants, are a minority, or are low income. ECHO also works closely with practitioners and college students to coordinate job shadowing opportunities as they arise.
