WALTERBORO, S.C. — The University of South Carolina Salkehatchie welcomed a cohort
of aspiring healthcare professionals on March 5 as the university hosted the BIO Slice
Lab in partnership with Lowcountry AHEC.
The event took place on the Walterboro campus and provided local high school students (participants in AHEC's Health Careers Program) with an immersive, hands-on dive into the world of biological sciences and healthcare, bridging the gap between classroom theory and clinical practice while exposing them to real-world career opportunities.
During the BIO lab session, students performed detailed examinations of frog anatomy, exploring complex
internal organ systems. Under the guidance of educators, participants practiced professional
lab techniques, gaining a deeper understanding of human-analogous body systems and
the anatomical variability found in the field.
The students also toured the nursing simulation lab, where they learned about patient assessment and monitoring. Students then participated in a classroom presentation by the CARE Flight team from
Colleton County, where flight paramedics and nurses shared insights into the high-stakes world of
emergency medical transport, highlighting the critical coordination required to save
lives in rural communities. The medical helicopter then landed on campus, allowing students to tour the aircraft
and hear from additional members of the flight team.
"Our partnership with Lowcountry AHEC is a vital link in the chain of healthcare education,"
said Anna Carol Ptacin, Interim Nursing Program Academic Manager. "By bringing students
onto a college campus for experiences like the BIO Slice Lab, we aren't just teaching
them anatomy; we are showing them a clear, attainable path to a career in healthcare. Early exposure is the most effective tool we have for recruiting future nurses who
will eventually serve and lead in our local healthcare settings."
The event concluded with a guided tour of the USC Salkehatchie campus, during which
students had the opportunity to explore the academic programs and student support
resources available to them upon graduation. Spanning disciplines from clinical laboratory
science to surgical and emergency medicine, the tour underscored the breadth of healthcare
career pathways accessible within the local region.
Through these meaningful experiences, USC Salkehatchie empowers local students to
not only meet the demands of higher education, but to pursue careers that will strengthen
and sustain the health of their communities.