The LISD PAC Auditorium was filled with Laredo’s future medical professionals as LISD celebrated the 2023-2024 Little Medical School Graduation. The future medical students were bestowed diplomas by Laredo Independent School District’s Little Medical School Program during the Commencement Ceremony. The Class of 2024 graduated 348 elementary and middle school students who completed the 12-week afterschool program.
With loud cheers and applauses, students were called on stage and congratulated by LISD Board President Juan Ramirez, LISD Board Vice-President Rudy Morales, LISD Board Secretary Veronica Orduno, and LISD Superintendent Dr. Sylvia Rios. The young medical students also posed for a picture with their instructors and were presented with their doctor’s diploma, white medical lab coat, and stethoscope.
“We are all very proud of our students. They were in a 12-week course where they learned many life-saving skills. They learned how to take a pulse, do compressions and sutures, and learned so many medical terms,” said Graciela Lopez RN, LISD Director of Nursing and Health Services. “So, these students are ahead of the game. Hopefully they will be our future doctors, nurses, and surgeons and will stay in Laredo to continue growing our medical field.”
What a wonderful site it was to see the auditorium with all the future medical students that will go out into the medical field and give back to the community. The students all agreed that they had a great time and learned a lot about the medical field.
“I really liked the program because it helps us young kids learn more about medical school and what to do in case of an emergency,” said Alessandra Lozano, Cigarroa Middle School sixth grader. “I want to become a doctor when I graduate. The program has given me an idea of what it will take to become a doctor.”
LISD continues to shape future leaders of South Texas with its partnership with the Little Medical School, a franchise geared toward educating school aged children through science, medicine, and health-based programs. Students from each LISD elementary and middle school had the opportunity to delve into the exciting world of healthcare by exploring the medical field by participating in the Little Medical School classes.
“I want to give a big thank you to all the parents. You are a huge part of the success of this program. Thank you for all the encouragement, motivation, and support. We would not be here without everything you do for our students,” said Lopez. “To our little medical school graduates thank you for participating in the program and having an interest in the medical field. You all are the future doctors, surgeons, nurses, dentist, and medical trainers.”
The Little Medical School is a 12-week afterschool program that focuses on the medical and health fields. The program was offered to 3rd through 8th grade students who met two or three times a week for a two-hour session afterschool. Students learned about different body systems, medical terminology, and life-saving skills. All programs offered are taught by experienced college students, certified nurses, and other medical professionals.
“I big thanks to all our teachers, who are our school nurses. They took the extra time to stay afterschool to teach them. We are also very grateful to the parents for supporting our students and for allowing them to be a part of this program and continue supporting them for their future growth,” said Lopez. “We want our Little Medical School graduates to continue to our Cantu Early College High School and then go on to nursing school, medical school, or dental school so they can become an athletic trainer or something in the medical field.”
“I loved the program a lot. I enjoyed learning about surgery and the skeletal system,” said Jayla Zavala, Alma Pierce Elementary School fourth grader. “I’m so happy that I am graduating. I hope to attend Cantu Early College and become a doctor.”
The program offers many hands-on activities and interactive demonstrations that provide the students a visual understanding of what they are learning. The kids learned how to use medical instruments, administer first aid, and treat common sports injuries such as sprains. They were introduced to real tools, procedures, and processes used by doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and veterinarians.
Students were introduced to real tools, procedures, and processes that medical professionals use and experience on the job. The program offers doctor, nursing, dental, sports medicine, wilderness medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary programs. Each little school has its own specific curriculum designed to educate and expose students to medicine, while building their confidence.
Alessandra Lozano and Carlos Serna of Cigarroa Middle School preformed the National Anthem. Students from the Dr. Dennis D. Cantu Health Science Early College High School assisted with the graduation ceremony.
For more information, please contact the LISD Health Services Department at (956) 273-1250.