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NEUROLOGY &
SLEEP DISORDERS

A Unique Insight for High Schoolers into the Brain and the Mind

Edit and photos by Patricia S. Machado, Medical Student, University of Texas San Antonio, Long School of Medicine

he second-year medical students of University of
T Texas Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine
had the pleasure to organize and execute Camp Neuro
this year on its campus from June 25th-29th. Camp
Neuro is a one-week summer camp hosted by cities all over the
nation, where medical students teach high-school aged kids about
neurology, medicine, and psychology. This is an innovative ap-
proach to learning that allows high schoolers to have a valuable
hands-on experience at a medical school level. Talented doctors
and medical students put together a camp to mentor young stu-
dents towards healthcare careers and education in healthy living.
The camp is composed of hands-on workshops, exercises to pro-
mote healthy living, and lectures ranging from neurophysiology,
neuroimaging and diagnostics, and pathological diseases. The
camp also provides the invaluable opportunity to learn hands on From left to right we have some of the medical student leaders of Camp
Neuro, Patricia Machado, Fayette Adelaja, Zach Burgess, JP Bonansaga, Zach
anatomy by assisting students dissect sheep brain and teach suture Burgess, Ahnaff, Josh Bietcham, and Dr. Vogul. Dr. Vogul is one of the MS2
techniques using pig feet. module directors for the UT School of Medicine Neurology block “Mind Brain &
Behavior” and neuroanatomist in charge of teaching different aspects of the
Joshua Bietchman is a 2nd year medical student and was the brain anatomy.
primary organizer and host of Camp Neuro this year. As a Texas
A&M alumni, he worked with blast traumatic brain injury re- have allowed me to be successful in my personal and professional
search, and continued on to pursue a Masters in Biomedical sci- life. I find working with children and specifically the campers this
ences at Midwestern University and researched affective week incredibly rewarding.”
conditions following TBI (traumatic brain injury). After being JP Bonansiga (MS2) was also an invaluable leader and con-
asked why he got involved with camp neuro he responds: “I got ducted most of the lectures in Camp Neuro. With his extensive
into Camp Neuro due to my continuing desire to help educate background in the military and interest in neurology he was able
and treat children. Being an Eagle Scout, I have worked with chil- to provide his perspective in traumatic brain injury and anatomy.
dren of all ages in Scouting, research and medicine. I have a firm His lectures constituted of demyelinating diseases, ALS, Myas-
belief to continue to "pay it forward" from all the excellent men- thenia Gravis, Parkinson’s disease and general anatomy overview.
torship that I have received from the physician and scientists that Ahnaf Arefin was another MS2 leader of Camp Neuro and at-

20 San Antonio Medicine • August 2018