Introduction to S.T.E.M. Careers: Medicine and Health Sciences

1. Introduction to S.T.E.M. Careers:Medicine and Health Sciences Yvonne Eaglehouse, PhD, MPH

2. What do you think of when you hear “medical careers”?

3. Health Sciences Public Health Education Physical Sciences (e.g. biology, chemistry) Business & Management Medicine

4. Careers in the Health Sciences • Physical/Occupational Therapist* • Nurse/Nurse Practitioner* • Emergency Medicine Technician* • Physician Assistant* • Physician/Surgeon* • Psychologist/Psychiatrist* • Phlebotomist* • Dentist/Hygienist* • Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor* • Massage Therapist* • Exercise Physiologist* • Rehabilitation Specialist* • Yoga Therapist* • Dietitian* • Physical Educator* • Genetic Counselor* *May require additional certification or licensure after obtaining training or degree

5. Careers in the Health Sciences • Medical Biller and Coder* • Statistician/Analyst • Epidemiologist • Researcher (Academic/Government) • Medical Laboratory Technician* • Bench Scientist (e.g. microbiologist) • Registrar* • Healthcare System Administrator • Health Policy Writer (e.g. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans) • Facilities/Team Manager • Occupational or Environmental Medicine Specialist • Health Promotion Specialist • Public Health Officer (Government/Military) *May require additional certification or licensure after obtaining training or degree

6. Training for Careers in Health Sciences • Associate’s Degree/Vocational Training • Massage therapy, personal training/fitness instruction, physical therapy assistant, nurse, medical assistant, emergency medicine technician • Bachelor’s Degree • Health promotion, Public Health Officer, exercise physiologist/rehabilitation, facilities/team management, dietitian, educators, athletic training, physician assistant • Master’s or Doctorate Degree • Physician/surgeon, physical/occupational therapist, psychologist, advanced practice of any of the above career fields

7. College/University Majors that Support Careers in Health Sciences • Biology • Kinesiology • Exercise Science • Athletic Training • Business/Sports Management • Health Care Administration • Psychology/Sports Psychology • Education • Public Health • Nutrition/Dietetics • Physics/Biomechanics/Engineering • Information Technology • Mathematics/Statistics • Chemistry • Nursing • Medicine

8. Steps to Prepare for Careers in Health Sciences • Take natural sciences classes in high school (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology)… • …but don’t forget about math, languages, writing, and social sciences! • Shadow health professionals in area of interest • Complete internships during high school and college/university • Explore introductory classes at community college • Volunteer • Ask questions!

9. Pursing a Career in Health Sciences Requires… • Patience • Compassion • Organization • Communication (written and spoken) • Passion and interest • Commitment • Desire to help others • Reasoning • Judgement • Independence • Teamwork • Honesty • Integrity

10. The Rewards of Health Science Careers • Salary • A person could earn anywhere from $20,000 to $200,000+ per year in a health science career • Salary depends on skills, training, services provided, and years of experience • E.g. In NC, the average yearly salaries for medical careers are: • ~$29,000 for certified medical assistant • ~$56,000 for registered nurse • ~$75,000 for healthcare systems administrator • ~$175,000 for family physician • Helping Others!

11. Snapshot of Health Careers in North Carolina • Colleges and Universities with Advanced Health Science Programs • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill • Duke University • North Carolina State University-Raleigh • Wake Forest University • Employers in North Carolina • North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services • Healthcare systems (e.g. UNC Health Care, WakeMed, Duke, Norvant) • Research/Medical Universities (see list above) • Private medical practices, ambulance services, other businesses

12. Questions?

13. My Personal Journey • High School • Biology, Chemistry, Physics, AP Chemistry • Knew I wanted to do cancer research, but didn’t know from what angle • University (undergraduate) • Biology major, Chemistry minor • Contemplated nutrition and dieteticsand medicine • Post-university • Enrolled in medical technology program • Withdrew before start due to change in interest/direction

14. My Personal Journey • Post-university • Interest in exercise, health, and wellness • Pursued opportunities in personal training and fitness • Graduate School • Master’s program in exercise science • Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation • Physical therapy • Master’s/Doctoral program in epidemiology and public health • Diabetes prevention through lifestyle change (diet, physical activity, weight management) • Behavioral change theories

15. My Personal Journey • Post-graduate • Postdoctoral Scholar • Researched association between physical activity and colorectal cancer risk • Directed pilot study of lifestyle change program for breast cancer survivors • Health Services Researcher • Design and conduct studies looking at health services indicators (e.g. insurance coverage, care source, time to treatment) and cancer outcomes • Look at how metabolic disorders (e.g. diabetes) affect health services, cancer treatment, and clinical outcomes • Determine which patients may benefit most from lifestyle change following cancer diagnosis

16. Thank you!