An earthquake emergency unfolded inside Waipahu Intermediate School’s library in December, as part of a hands-on simulation designed to prepare students for healthcare careers and national competition. The exercise was designed and led by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) through its Huʻakaʻi Program, giving more than 40 Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) students the opportunity to practice real-world emergency response skills.
Students assessed injuries, packed deep wounds, applied tourniquets and practiced communicating clearly with a 911 dispatcher as urgency and controlled chaos filled the room.
The scenario was created by Huʻakaʻi Program Director Jaimie Tom, an emergency medicine physician, with support from UH Mānoa JABSOM medical students.
Being able to share that knowledge with students who are interested in helping others is really meaningful.
—Monica Ho
“We wanted to support the teachers and the students as they prepare for the HOSA competition by providing the students an opportunity to practice a few of the skills they will be tested on during the competition using a real-life emergency scenario,” Tom said. “These students already have a strong foundation so our goal was to enhance their knowledge base and provide tips they can use for both the competition and also as aspiring healthcare providers.”
The Huʻakaʻi Program reaches intermediate and high school students across Hawaiʻi, offering hands-on workshops and mentorship to spark early interest in healthcare and help address the state’s future workforce needs.
HOSA club president Althea Vinluan said the simulation gave students a realistic sense of healthcare work. “It shows you the reality of what healthcare professionals deal with,” Vinluan said. “You start asking yourself, ‘Is this something I see myself doing in the future?’”
Monica Ho, a JABSOM medical student said, “I’m really grateful to be where I am and doing what I love. Being able to share that knowledge with students who are interested in helping others is really meaningful. I didn’t have experiences like this when I was younger. I really wish I had. It might have steered me toward medicine sooner.”
Read more at JABSOM.
