The Bayview Avenue School of Arts & Sciences in Freeport opened its doors to medical students from Hofstra University on Oct. 23, in an initiative to teach third and fourth graders the basics of medicine and physical wellness.
The visit by the second-year medical students from the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health in Hempstead was part of an initiative started by the school’s Next Gen Healers group.
The initiative involves the medical students visiting Bayview in the fall, while inviting the same elementary classes to take a field trip to Hofstra the following winter for additional lessons about the medical profession.
In its third year, the program has been predominantly led by Zucker's medical students, with dozens having visited Bayview this year. About 250 Bayview students participated this year, with each class being instructed by two to three student-teachers. Some of the classes were taught in both English and Spanish.
“It’s just super rewarding to be able to give back to the community here,” Zucker medical student Jayden Reilly said. “Being able to see all the kids, the enthusiasm that they bring whenever we’re walking into the classroom, their excitement when they see the white coats, is really rewarding.”
Reilly added that the teaching he and his peers provide is a way to inspire the next generation of healthcare workers and leaders.
Former Bayview student Michael Guerrero-Calderon was one of the medical students who got to visit the halls he spent many days roaming nearly 20 years ago.
Guerrero-Calderon, 27, who is considering a career in pediatric medicine, said that similar role models sparked his interest in pursuing the profession.
“I just grew up in a lot of healthcare environments, and my mom was a big advocate for my health,” he explained. “I really do want to become a pediatrician, who also helps kids and their families make decisions about their health.”
The Next Gen Healers program was a big motivating factor for Guerrero-Calderon applying to and enrolling in the Zucker School of Medicine program, he said. The impact of the program has surpassed his and his peers’ expectations, with Bayview students becoming actively engaged in the lessons and very inquisitive about what it's like to practice medicine.
During the lesson, Bayview third graders took the opportunity to ask the medical students questions about different parts of the body. They also learned how to count heartbeats and were given their own stethoscopes. The fourth graders received a refresher on what they learned last year and got to participate in similar activities as well.
Guerrero-Calderon’s fourth grade teacher, Lori Cook, still teaches at Bayview about 18 years after he left her class, and got to reunite with him. She said that Guerrero-Calderon serves as a meaningful role model for current Bayview students.
“I’m just so proud of him,” Cook said. “When he was my student many, many years ago, he always had great work ethic. He worked hard … And just to see him doing so well and thriving in what he wants to do, I’m just so proud of him.”
The Bayview students expressed tremendous excitement over the visit, even asking Guerrero-Calderon and his fellow medical students Sophia Pesantez and Dianne Strauss for their autographs, which they happily provided.
“We were all impressed last year (and are) still impressed this year,” Guerro-Calderon told the Herald after signing a couple of notepads. “They are very ready to learn and answer questions … I’m very inspired by the fact that my school keeps producing children like this.”
The Bayview students will get the chance to learn more about medicine and other similar topics when they take a field trip to the Zucker School of Medicine in February.
