Although we consider every week to be health science week, DCIT celebrated Health Science Week March 13-17 with a series of special guests. Dynamic speakers from different health career pathways all hit upon a common thread in regards to the desired qualities of a healthcare worker.
Speaker, and former DCIT student, Courtney McElroy interacts with two Health Science I students, Kaitlyn Jones and Kathryn Taylor. Photo Contributed
Speakers were Brice Elvington, office manager of Florence Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. David Stone, allergist and immunologist with the Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center, Tavy Smalls, recruiter for McLeod Health, and Courtney McElroy, surgical support tech at McLeod Cardiac OR. McElroy’s speech was especially powerful because the students could relate to her career pathway. Three years earlier, McElroy was a Health Science I student at DCIT. She completed the Health Science program and earned her CNA in 2015. The 20 year old is now attending Florence-Darlington Technical College. She emphasized the importance of knowing yourself and what works best for you.
All speakers spoke to the need for competence and expertise in a chosen field but also placed great emphasis for the need of all future healthcare workers to focus on soft skills and work ethic. The students enjoyed getting to know the speakers individual specialties including their favorite and least favorite aspects of their jobs.
