Advocate Condell's Trauma Day focuses on health care careers

In the midst of national staffing shortages, the team at Advocate Condell Medical Center invited more than 100 high school students to a "day in the life" of Lake County's only Level 1 Trauma Center.

After a two-year hiatus because of COVID-19, the annual Trauma Day returned on April 22 to help high school students learn more about careers in health care.

"This hands-on event is a wonderful way for students to learn more about what our incredible teams do to take care of our patients," said Sharon Esterquist, trauma coordinator. "Our hope is to inspire the next generation of health leaders."

Volunteers from each department shared their personal stories - from how they started on this career path to their current day-to-day - and showcased how they work together to respond to and care for a trauma patient.

Students had the opportunity to interact with mock patients in the simulation lab and learned about robotic equipment in the operating room. During the event, they rotated through 12 different stations manned by different teams involved in the care of a trauma patient.

"We're so proud to be able to share our team's skill and expertise with these students, especially as they think about building their own careers," said Matt Primack, Advocate Condell's president. "Careers in health care are incredibly rewarding, and we need more people to consider joining our industry."

Advocate Condell Medical Center's expansive state-of-the-art emergency department provides the highest standards of lifesaving care to patients of all ages. Given national staffing challenges, the event aimed to educate students on a rewarding and much-needed career, Esterquist said.

"I hope they also learn about personal safety and things they can do to prevent trauma for themselves, like no texting and driving," said Cassie Kohl, a nursing professional development generalist, who showed students how to apply a tourniquet on the bleeding simulation mannequin.

"There are a lot of opportunities in the health care industry to meet someone's needs."

Libertyville High School senior Kaitlyn Gallo said she has wanted to attend Trauma Day since she was in middle school when her older sister told her "cool stories about her exciting experience." But because of the pandemic, Gallo was unable to go until this year.

"It's such a good way to see the hospital," said Gallo, who is interested in becoming a pediatric nurse. "I'm curious about the medical field, but I can't just walk into a hospital and start asking questions. This was an opportunity to ask those questions and also see everything up close."

Participating teams for Trauma Day included:

• Trauma Team

• Emergency Department

• Intensive Care Unit

• Operating Room

• Respiratory Therapy

• Rehab Services

• Radiology

• Emergency Medical Services

• Police Department

• Gift of Hope

• College of Lake County