Burnett at the BLUU Event Inspires Next Generation

FORT WORTH – More than 200 students from Tarrant and Hood counties got a first-hand look at the field of medicine.

It was all part of the semiannual Burnett at the BLUU event held by the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University.

The community and engagement event is designed to expose students from disadvantaged and underserved communities to medicine in hopes of inspiring them to pursue a career in health care.

“Many of these communities don’t have great access to health care,” said Cheryl Hurd, M.D., Director of Service Learning at Burnett School of Medicine at TCU.

“They don’t have a lot of mentors or experience with the possibility that they could have a profession like that.  We have to give them the opportunity and give them the knowledge that it’s out there.”

Students from Young Men’s Leadership Academy, Young Women’s Leadership Academy, Brewer High School, and Tolar High School had the opportunity to suture wounds, see inside the human body by using the HoloAnatomy Lens, learn CPR techniques, and give ultrasounds to Standardized Patients (SP), who are trained actors posing as patients.

Leonardo Hernandez, a senior from Young Men’s Leadership Academy, is thankful for this opportunity.

“It gives me a lot of confidence because if they can do it then it lets me know that I can do it,” said Hernandez who wants to go into the medical field and pursue dermatology.

“I was able to get some hands-on experience and learn from all the doctors and medical students. It was a great experience,” he said.

 Sandra Esparza, M.D., Assistant Dean of Clinical Curriculum said she’s proud to be a part of a school that inspires and has outreach.

“I think it’s important that young students see people that look like them or from their backgrounds.  I hope they felt excited and are inspired to become physicians or follow their dreams.”