Summer for many high school students could mean part-time jobs, sleeping in  and staying out late, or just trying to catch up on the things they missed during the school year.

It usually does not mean a full summer of classes at the University of Arizona, but that is exactly how Douglas High School Seniors Mia Montano, and Fernando Dominguez, both 17, spent their time.

Both  took part in the Med-Start program following their4 junior years in Douglas.

This was the 40th year of the Med-Start Tucson program. Administered by the University of Arizona’s  Officer of Outreach and Multicultural Affairs, Med-Start has two goals – to address the critical shortage of a diverse healthcare workforce and to provide students the4 opportunity to explore health careers and college in order to successfully reach their academic and career goals.

The students experience college life by earning four units of college credit through the University of Arizona and visiting colleges and departments on campus. The students learn about college success strategies is structured College 101 workshops and tour the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University campuses. Students reside on campus in one of the residence halls.

In addition to exploring health careers, students participate in interactive presentations demonstrating skills needed in biomedical and health professions, such as pharmacy and medicine.

“I feel very fortunate. More than 500 applied from southern Arizona , and I was one of only 30 selected,” said Mia Montano.

Montano and Dominguez, spent their days in English, College 101 and Chemistry classes in addition to field trips and listening to guest speakers during the five-week program. The classes started in early June and lasted until mid-July.

In addition to the visits and speakers, they also got hands-on experience.

One of the most interesting experiences for Dominguez was his opportunity to dissect a goat’s heart and meeting with paramedics

Both thought the expeirence gets them better prepared for the final year in high school and as they prepare for college.

“The programs really helped in time management as well as how to apply for scholarships,” Montano said

Both came away with strong feelings about the program and their future.

“The inspiration for me to pursue a career in nursing had always been my parents and their motto of never giving up.,” said Montano, the daughter  of Raul and Marina Montano.

“This motto was finally applied to me when I received my first knee surgery. The surgery hindered me from doing the things I enjoyed, but I knew it would eventually get better.

“Just as nurses and doctors helped make it possible for me to get back on my feet, I want to do the same for others.

“My dream of interaction with kids at a hospital had always been my passion, influencing my heart’s decision to become a pediatric nurse. With this, I want to make a difference in a child’s life from working in ICU to simply seeing a smile on a child’s face.

“Only through Med-Start have I truly been able to become acquainted with the healthcare professions. The program exposed me to numerous healthcare professions that would not have been possible until my third year of college.

It is with this program that I have gained so much knowledge, which gave me opportunities that I could not have received anywhere else.

Dominguez, the son of Blanca and Blas Dominguez, not only has a goal set for himself but for his family.

“ I want to be the first to attend a university, I want to be the first to reach something meaningful, and I wan t to be the first to become a doctor among my family.

“These thoughts have been circling in my head for some time now, and will continue to do so because these are the goals I truly want to reach.

“I enjoy helping people, which is the reason I want to be my studies on the health profession. I have to thank my parents for pushing so hard throughout my life. They are the reason I am the person I have become.

“Med-Start has exposed me to college life and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. It has challenged me with the obstacles it has to offer and showed me what it is like to live in a dorm. I t exposed me to many careers in medicine and many people in the health professions. I have learned quite a lot from them. The hands on activities have been incredible, and now I can’t wait to do the real thing.

“I want to become the best doctor out there. A doctor that cares for his patients and does all he can to improve their health.

“I am aware of the challenges I will face, but I believe I have the potential to do so. I am a hard worker, I have the determination it will take and I am a quick learner.”