Injury Prevention Educational Trauma Centre Visit: Marianopolis College

Introduction

Alexander Mocanu is a true Injury Prevention Ambassador. He was a participant in the MGH Volunteer office’s Student Training and Education Program throughout the summer, where students volunteer and become familiar with working in a hospital setting. The group participated in the Educational Trauma Centre Tour held at the Montreal General Hospital in the summer. However, he was unable to participate that day. Having heard all the great reviews from his colleagues who participated, he took initiative to organize a visit of his own by recruiting other students at Marianopolis College where he attends school.

Our Program

On Saturday, November 11, 2023, 13 health science students showed up for the visit on their own time, eager to learn about what it takes to save the life our trauma patients. The goal of the Educational Trauma Centre Visit is to reduce risky behavior in young people in order to keep them out of trauma centres as patients. We introduce them to the various disciplines encountered by our trauma patients. They have the opportunity to participate in various activities.

The Tour

The students participated in an injury scenario in the Trauma Resuscitation Bay. One volunteer acted as a patient while we explained the steps to save the patient. Meanwhile, the other students helped the staff to care for our patient. Afterwards, they transported another volunteer on a gurney to the CT scan room. The students helped to transfer the patient to the machine and the Imaging technologist explained their job, and showed CT images. The tour continued up to the operating room floor, where surgery was explained. It ended in the Intensive Care unit where the most injured and sick patients are cared for. The students walked the hall quietly and slowly to observe the severity of injuries.

Skills

The students also learned how to save a life by applying a tourniquet in the event of a life threatening bleed. They participated in a workshop to learn empathy for people with disabilities.

Our Professionals

Throughout the day the students met Trauma Director, Dr. Kosar Kwhaja; Trauma Surgeon, Dr. Dan Dekelbaum; Neurosurgeon, Dr. Judith Marcoux; Emergency room Fellows Dr. Nathalie Chew Bee Kwan and Dr. Nurul Azlean Norzan; Imaging Technologist, Angelina Kirilova; Trauma Nurse and Manager, Nancy Branco; ICU nurse, Rona Mae De Jesus; Respiratory Therapist, Roby Paraschiv; and Trauma Survivor, Nicolas Steresco.

End of Day

At the end of the day, the students presented a donation for the program. I trust that Alexander and these students will go on to make great safety ambassadors. Undoubtedly some of them will choose to work in the health care field and perhaps even return to work for us one day.

Feel Free to spread the news about our program. We are more than happy to receive more groups.