HONOLULU (KHON2) -- At the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) in Honolulu, an exciting opportunity has emerged for educators aiming to inspire young minds in the field of science. This initiative seeks to help teachers foster a passion for health care amongst their students, starting as early as elementary school. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Dr. Jaimie Tom, the associate director of admissions at JABSOM, sharing her unique journey into the medical field. “When I started college, I wasn’t even thinking of medicine,” she said. Initially a business major, her path changed after reconnecting with a middle school friend who introduced him to the world of health care through his mother, a pediatrician. “That was when I started volunteering and shadowing in the medical field, and I never looked back,” Dr. Tom explained. Dr. Tom emphasized the importance of early exposure to health careers. “It really starts at the high school level,” she noted. Waipahu High School, where many students from Honowai Elementary feed into, boasts a robust health academy. This program includes a fully operational clinic staffed by professionals who provide high school students with hands-on experiences that can spark their interest in various health careers. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to plant seeds of curiosity in younger students. Dr. Tom stated, “We want them to see what’s out there, to understand the possibilities before they have to declare their path in high school.” The workshop aims to give teachers the tools they need to inspire their students to explore the world of health care. Lane Tanaka, assistant principal at Honowai Elementary School in Waipahu, echoed Dr. Tom’s sentiments. “We are building our pre-academy program in our elementary school,” Tanaka said. “This collaboration with JABSOM provides our students with insights into potential careers in the medical field.” With a student body ranging from three to twelve years old, Tanaka emphasized the importance of early education. “It’s essential to get them thinking about their futures,” he explained. “We want our students to recognize that there are exciting possibilities ahead of them.” Dr. Tom’s workshop is designed to help teachers integrate health-related topics into their classrooms. “Many of them don’t have a health background, so we’re showing them how to create meaningful experiences that can stimulate interest,” she said. “We hope to excite the kids about the various careers in health care.” The workshop incorporates hands-on activities and simulations to make the learning experience engaging. Dr. Tom described the case-based approach used in the training. “We’re illustrating different roles within a health care team," she explained. "For instance, what does a nurse do at the bedside compared to a respiratory therapist?” This practical exposure allows teachers to better understand how to convey these concepts to their students. Dr. Tom’s passion for teaching shines through as he discusses the innovative nature of the program. “This is about solving medical mysteries, almost like being a detective,” she said. “We want to make the idea of pursuing a medical career less intimidating. It’s not as overwhelming as it may seem.” One of the key topics addressed in the workshop is allergies, a relevant subject for elementary students. “We chose to focus on anaphylaxis because many students are aware of allergies but may not understand their seriousness,” Dr. Tom explained. “By teaching them how to use an EpiPen, we empower them with knowledge and skills that can be lifesaving.” Tanaka highlighted the significance of building partnerships with institutions like JABSOM. “We’re reaching out to the community to provide our students with valuable experiences,” he said. “It’s all about broadening their horizons and showing them what’s possible in their future careers.” As the workshop unfolds, teachers are encouraged to brainstorm and share ideas on how to bring health education into their classrooms. Dr. Tom stated, “This is an opportunity for them to explore different pathways for their students. They can start incorporating health concepts and hands-on activities that will make learning exciting.” Through this collaborative effort, both Dr. Tom and Assistant Principal Tanaka hope to ignite a spark of interest in science and health care among young students. “It’s all about planting those seeds early,” Dr. Tom emphasized. “We want them to think about their futures and what they can achieve.” Tanaka reiterated the importance of fostering curiosity in young learners. “The more exposure they have to different fields, the better prepared they’ll be for their future,” he said. “We want our students to feel empowered and excited about their potential.” It is clear that this initiative represents a significant step toward creating a new generation of health care professionals. In seeing how much students and teachers enjoyed learning from JABSOM professors, it makes one wonder why the Department of Education isn't seeking out more subject matter experts who have a PhD to bring their passion to Hawaiʻi's students. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 By working together, JABSOM and Honowai Elementary are committed to inspiring young minds and encouraging them to explore the vast possibilities that lie ahead in the world of science and medicine.