High School students learn 'medicinal air power'

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Victor J. Caputo
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Ten students from the local McPherson High School visited the 22nd Medical Group for a tour of the facilities and a chance to speak to Airmen about the decisions made leading up to their current career path Nov. 28, 2012.

The students were able to experience firsthand many of the jobs they can to pursue after high school, including dental work, physical therapy and laboratory work.

"I'm really interested in doing radiology, so seeing [the] radiology department was really cool," said Adam Winkler, McPherson High School student.

During the course of the tour, the students spoke with medical personnel ranging from Airmen who have been on-station for less than a year to officers with almost 30 years of experience.

"I love getting to show off my job to those who are interested," said Tech. Sgt. Jean Epperson, 22nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron Flight Medicine NCO in charge. "I think that a lot of people assume that the military way of doing medical care is radically different than in the civilian sector when in all actuality, it is very similar."

Tours like this are meant to promote face-to-face connections between the community and Team McConnell.

One topic that was continually mentioned by every group that spoke to the students was education and how to obtain it.

"It's great how they told all of the kids about the benefits of an advanced education," said Andrea Clark, McPherson High School health-science teacher. "They showed us all the different ways you can get a degree."

Although the training for the military medical career field is often long and strenuous, it can have a gratifying payoff.

"The medical career field is a very rewarding job," said Epperson. "You can honestly change peoples' lives on a daily basis."

For more information on the 22nd ARW and 22nd MDG, visit www.mcconnell.af.mil.