Practicing Physicians Offer Carroll Students Unique Learning Experience

The Carroll Medical Academy (CMA) Booster Club hosted its 8th annual Career Day on Thursday, Feb. 7 at Trophy Club Country Club. Nearly forty medical professionals generously donated their valuable time and talent, representing wide-ranging specialties including pediatrics, internal medicine, orthopedics, psychiatry, dermatology and dermatological pathology, neurology, gastroenterology, asthma and allergy, podiatry, orthodontics, oral surgery, diabetes research, sports medicine, nursing, plastic surgery, pharmacology, chiropractic, transplant immunology, veterinary medicine and dentistry. The Carroll Medical Academy is sponsored by Children’s Medical Center.This is the second year of partnership between the CMA Boosters and Children’s Medical Center.

After a catered breakfast, over 185 Carroll Medical Academy students participated in small group mentoring sessions on selected rotations with the following medical professionals:  Dr. Eric Benzick , Dr. Trung D. Tran,  Andrea Becicka, Justin Keller,  Renada Knight, Dr. Ron Groves,  Dr. David Hunter, Dr. Vickie Khanna, Dr. Purnima Venkatesh, Dr. Madhukar Trivedi, Dr. Timothy Jones,  Dr. Greg Colon,  Dr. Penny Benedict,  Dr. Philipp Scherer,  Kelley Meehan,  Dr. Rana Said,  Mr. Kenneth Drinkwater,  Mr. Aubrey Fisk, Dr. Melanie B. Kinchen, Jeff Caraway, Dr. Mona Alvi, Dr. Ryan Hick, Dr. Brian Susskind, Dr. Scott Kasden, Dr. Steve Ruffner, Dr. Bhagya G. Boggaram, Dr. Sara (Heldt) Greer, Dr. Ryan Browning, Michelle Lawrence, Dr. Lisa Heistein, Dr. Vanita Shori, Dr. Kevin James, Dr. Mark Greenberg, Dr. Amir Kahn, Dr. Ninnetta Bond and Debbie Edwards.

CMA Students pose for group photo

Various topics covered during rotations included descriptions of a typical workday, steps taken and lessons learned on the path to specializing, case studies on patients and demonstrations of diagnostic tools utilized at the physicians’ offices.

While enjoying lunch, students met with Carroll ISD Coordinator of Counselors Dr. Becci Rollins on the outdoor patio to discuss course selection and college planning.  The afternoon wrapped up with guest speakers Greg Lowenstein and Richard Broker on the business of radiology and Arielle Yorczyk  on genetic counseling.

CISD Superintendent Dr. David Faltys pictured with CSHS teacher Linda Lacava

CISD Superintendent Dr. David Faltys, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Dr. J.J. Villareal, Secondary Curriculum Coordinator for Mathematics, Science, World Languages and Electives Dr. Rene Moses and CSHS Principal Mr. Shawn Duhon also stopped by during the day to lend their support. The CMA teachers spearheading the event were CMA Director Sherry Martin, Linda LaCava, Dr. Nicole Owen,  Keeley Lowery and Julie McCurly.

The CMA Boosters extend their thanks to everyone who helped make the CMA Career Day a success. Organizers say they want to give special thanks to the Career Day chair, Kathryn Hughes and Kathy Lowenstein, CISD teachers, the Green Jackets, Trophy Club and the local medical professionals who made out of classroom learning a reality for CMA students. 

For more information about the Carroll Medical Academy, click here to be redirected to the CMA website.

The slideshow below includes pictures from the event. Photos are courtesy of CSHS Yearbook students Pooja Patel and Greg Logan.