Senior anatomy class visits burn center, Shepeard Community Blood Center

Members of the senior anatomy class are, from left, first row: DeeDee Davis and Hillary Hudson; second row: Korine Hering, Lindsey Heron, Jamie Herrmann, Danielle McBride, Vianey Guzman and Bonnie Milton; third row: Keeley Sapp, Julie Drake, Chelesa Edwards, Claire Graham, Katelyn Head, Megan Fields, Hillary Sharpe and Chalexis Herrington; fourth row: Katie Johnson, Morgan Johnson, Victoria Langston, Cheyenne Ballew, Beth McKenzie; and fifth row: Brandon Wade, Lindsay Purvis, Boyd Sasser, Mrs. Marsha Madray, Zac Clark, James Bramblett, Brookes Brinson, Jacob Burke and James Thomas. (Photo contributed)

Jenkins County High School was well represented by a group of students who participated in a field trip to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctor's Hospital and Shepeard Community Blood Center in Augusta.

Marsha Madray's senior anatomy class listened and participated with an educational coordinator as she presented information concerning the issues involved in treating burn victims. Founded in 1978, the Joseph M. Still Burn Center is the largest in the southeast. The Center was founded and supported by Dr. Joseph M. Still. The students were told that Dr. Still funded not only the present building, but also a helicopter and a jet, which are used exclusively for transporting burn victims.

"The first eight hours are very critical for these victims and these resources help to determine the outcome for many patients," commented Laura Cox, a specialized burn nurse.

A presentation was made covering the institution, burn victims and care, and the criteria required for working in such a specialized area.

Mrs. Madray commented "Many of my students are considering a career in the health care field and I want to expose them to as many real life situations as possible. I believe such experiences will help them to make better choices because they will have a foundation of knowledge, not only from a textbook, but from seeing real burn patients and talking with the health care providers who can answer their questions based on reality."

After the presentation, the students were allowed to tour the critical care burn unit where they observed patients being treated by a multitude of staff. During the tour, Mrs. Cox explained why so many staff members are required for each patient.

"When a person is severely burned, their entire body is affected because all systems are dependant upon each other: ventilators, dialysis, pain medication, skin graphs, and therapy are just a few of the many aspects which each team has to be aware of," states Mrs. Cox.

The group then journeyed to the Community Blood Center to learn what happens to blood after it is donated. This experience was very helpful as the student's geared up for their annual blood drive held Tuesday, Feb. 12.