It was an exciting week for students attending the Discovery Healthcare Camp in Goderich. A vibrant group of 17 students had the chance to dive into hands-on clinical skills, explore endless career possibilities, and gain invaluable insights from the dedicated health professionals at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH).
“This is the third year Goderich has hosted Discovery Healthcare Camp and it was another very successful year,” said Gwen Devereaux, President at Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health. “We know how important this exposure to various healthcare careers is for high school students, and we are already seeing the results with more local students on a healthcare career path.”
Laurie Hakkers, Clinical Nurse Educator at AMGH, dedicated time to leading students through hands-on clinical exercises, including life-saving CPR and precise medication dosages. Laurie’s own journey started in 2006 at a summer camp just like this one, where she first discovered her passion for helping others.
“I attended this camp when I was in grade 11 and it is where my journey in healthcare began,” said Laurie. “What made this camp unforgettable was that it was my first genuine encounter with the world of healthcare. They gave us hands-on opportunities—suturing stuffed animals, practicing injections on oranges, and even applying casts to fellow campers. These were experiences I had never been exposed to before, and they introduced me to the vast and exciting opportunities that a career in healthcare can offer. It was an eye-opening adventure that set me on a path to make a difference."
Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health launched Discovery Healthcare Camp in 2022 in partnership with Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and Huron Health System. Together, they are not just teaching skills — they are shaping the healthcare leaders of tomorrow.
