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The sounds of excitement, urgency, and at moments, chaos, filled the Waipahu Intermediate School library as an earthquake scenario played out.
More than 40 Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) from Waipahu Intermediate were thrust into a simulation that required students to assess injuries, properly pack a wound, apply a tourniquet, and clearly communicate with a 911 dispatcher.
The scenario was designed by JABSOM’s Huakaʻi Program director, Dr. Jaimie Tom, an emergency medicine physician.
“We wanted to support the teachers and the students as they prepare for the HOSA competition by providing the students an opportunity to practice a few of the skills they will be tested on during the competition using a real-life emergency scenario,” Tom said. “These students already have a strong foundation so our goal was to enhance their knowledge base and provide tips they can use for both the competition and also as aspiring healthcare providers.”
Dr. Tom, along with four JABSOM medical students, walked Waipahu’s HOSA students through each step, emphasizing technical skills, decision-making, communication, and teamwork. After a brief run-through of the situation, students broke off into groups and were taught how to treat a deep wound by applying gauze and even knowing how to apply a tourniquet.
“The students will be given a similar simulation during the HOSA tournament and although one of our goals was to help them prepare to do well during the competition, our overarching goal was for them to really understand how to respond in an emergency situation,” Tom said. “We wanted the scenario to be realistic so that they will learn the skills needed to render aid during a real-life emergency and not just memorize a protocol.”
Waipahu Intermediate Principal Alvan Fukuhara said the experience went far beyond what is typically taught in class.
“We’re always looking for ways to expand the classroom beyond the normal day,” Fukuhara said. “What makes this special is that students are learning from real doctors and medical students, using real equipment. That kind of authentic learning is incredibly valuable.”
Fukuhara also emphasized the importance of representation.
“When students see people who look like them, who came from public schools and are now in medicine, it makes those futures feel possible,” he said.
The visit was designed to build on the success Waipahu Intermediate students saw at last year’s national HOSA competition in Nashville, Tennessee, where several students won awards. Althea Vinluan, president of Waipahu Intermediate’s HOSA club and recent award winner, said the experience offered something just as important as technical preparation.
“It shows you the reality of what healthcare professionals deal with,” Vinluan said. “You start asking yourself, ‘Is this something I see myself doing in the future?’”
JABSOM medical student Monica Ho was happy to be able to give back at this stage of her training.
“I’m really grateful to be where I am and doing what I love,” Ho said. “Being able to share that knowledge with students who are interested in helping others is really meaningful.”
Ho reflected on her own middle school years and how opportunities like this might have changed her path.
“I didn’t have experiences like this when I was younger,” she said. “I really wish I had. It might have steered me toward medicine sooner.”
That idea of planting the seed early is at the heart of JABSOM’s Huakaʻi Program. By reaching students in intermediate and high schools across Hawaiʻi, the program works to open doors to careers in medicine long before students even apply for college and judging by the energy in the room at Waipahu Intermediate, those seeds are already taking root.
"Addressing the healthcare workforce shortage begins with exposure and curiosity. The Huakaʻi initiative tackles this problem by providing engaging, hands-on workshops designed to spark an early interest in the medical field. By making learning both engaging and fun, we strive to instill a lifelong desire to pursue careers in medicine. The Huakaʻi initiative also serves as a hub to support students and connect them with programs that will help them prepare for future careers in healthcare.”