US Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay Initiates S2M2 Program

By Stacey Byington, U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY (NNS) -- Five W.T. Sampson High School students spent their spring break taking advantage of a Science, Service, Medicine, and Mentoring (S2M2) program at U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay (USNH GTMO), April 9 - 13.

"This was the first year this program was conducted here," said Lt. Eric Dunbar, organizer of the weeklong event. "We did our very best to limit any break time to keep the students active and engaged at every visit and in-between."

The S2M2 program, sponsored by the hospital's cultural diversity team led by Lt. Sonia Williams, was developed to encourage high school students to pursue their interests to become medical professionals and scientists, and engage Navy physicians and other military medical personnel with high school and college students in their geographic area.

The program developed at USNH GTMO was along the lines of a weeklong job fair, with medical providers and hospital staff interacting with the students, both in a classroom setting, and throughout the hospital. Students participating were Gabriel Dunbar, Braden Galloway, Ofelia Pastora, Tataina Wynder, and Dane Stone.

"The staff did an exemplary job of engaging the students in hands-on activities when and where possible," added Dunbar. "We kept the schedule flexible and even added a laboratory and radiology visit when time permitted. This was key to the success of the program."

During one activity, an orthopedic technician put a cast on each student's dominant arm. They wore the cast for about 24 hours, after which it was removed, and then they discussed how the cast affected their everyday lives, how people with disabilities constantly deal with those limitations, and patient communication.

Stone appreciated the effort the entire staff put into making the program fun.

"Thanks to everyone for taking time to show us an unforgettable experience and I can't wait to come back next year and learn even more," he said.

"The students had nothing but praise for the entire hospital staff and especially the Orthopedic doctor and the Operating Room team," concluded Dunbar. "The partnership between W.T. Sampson High School and USNH GTMO has only grown stronger through this program, and will continue to do so."