CA Camp Gives Students Hands-On Healthcare Experience

India-West News Desk

GRANITE BAY, CA- A two-day summer camp here, gave 40 middle and high school students an opportunity to explore medicine beyond the classroom through clinical training, physician-led sessions and practical workshops.

Hosted by Suvidha International Foundation on June 28-29, the Gateway to Medicine Summer Camp introduced participants to healthcare careers while helping them build practical skills, from CPR and first aid to suturing and the use of common diagnostic equipment.

Granite Bay High School students Sriram Vempati and Arjun Dhulipala partnered with University of Pittsburgh student Abhiram Dhulipala to design the program, drawing on their own academic journeys to create sessions for students interested in healthcare careers.

Rather than relying primarily on classroom instruction, the program gave participants opportunities to practice clinical skills under supervision. Students completed CPR, AED and First Aid certification through NorCal Emergency Medical Training, practiced suturing with Dr. Deepika Goshike, and learned to use equipment such as stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs and pulse oximeters. Interactive activities, including a lung model demonstration and a medical instrument scavenger hunt, helped explain basic medical concepts in a practical setting.

The camp also brought together physicians from a range of specialties to discuss their work and the realities of medical practice. Internal medicine physician Dr. Sridevi Garapati spoke about clinical decision-making and compassionate patient care, while Dr. Alok Krishna discussed addiction medicine. Psychiatrist Dr. Abhishek Rai addressed mental health, cardiologist Dr. Sandhya Venugopal spoke about heart health and emergency response, and Dr. Priya Upadrasta introduced students to careers in dentistry and the importance of preventive oral care.

Medical student Vishrut Nagam shared his experience preparing for medical school, while Venkat Nagam explained the admissions process for combined BS/MD programs, highlighting the importance of academics, leadership, volunteer work and healthcare exposure.

Bhaskar Vempati, president of Suvidha International Foundation, thanked the student organizers, volunteers and healthcare professionals who contributed to the program. Student organizers Sriram Vempati, Abhiram Dhulipala and Arjun Dhulipala also acknowledged the physicians, trainers, parents and participants for supporting the camp.

Following positive feedback from participants and families, the foundation said it plans to continue the Gateway to Medicine Summer Camp as an annual initiative.