Opening new opportunities for students to hone intricate skills with regular practice and repetition, a new Medical Arts Independent Study Lab is opening at Great Bend High School through the generosity of Midwest Energy’s Community Fund. 

“The age-old adage ‘practice makes perfect’ couldn’t be truer when it comes to learning suturing techniques, surgical knots, and blood draws,” said Ken Botzung, science teacher at Great Bend High School. “With access to medical equipment, simulation tools, and teacher input, the lab time clocked outside of school hours enhances classroom education and student’s abilities.”

The lab is set up as an independent study, meaning that while it is a course of study with instructor support, it is not part of an organized class. Students are required to have successfully completed, or currently enrolled in, Anatomy & Physiology 1 to participate in the lab. Students can book lab time with Mr. Botzung and there is no charge for materials. 

“We’ve been fortunate to receive medical equipment from other grant opportunities and school funds, but lacked the ‘expendable’ items like the simulation arms, suturing needles and various thread sizes, as well as the blood collection tubes that make lab learning possible,” said Botzung. “Midwest Energy stepped-up at just the right time, providing the necessary funds to expand our capacity for students.” 

In addition to the technique building suture and IV tools, students also utilize Sphygmomanometers to check blood pressure, a pulse oximeter to test blood oxygen saturation and heart rate, a percent body fat monitor as well as a hand held ECG (electrocardiogram) to check for abnormal heart rhythm. 

For more information about the Medical Arts Independent Study Lab, please contact Ken Botzung at 620-793-1521.