Observations and Engagement

Clinical Observations

USA Health provides students who are preparing to enter the medical field the opportunity to observe members of our staff. Observing hospital settings allows students to learn how the hospital functions internally and integrates with the healthcare system as a whole. Clinical observations are open to those 15 years of age and older. Download our Observation and Shadowing Application [PDF] for more information.

Clinical Interviews

USA Health also provides students the opportunity to interview members of our staff. Students can choose to interview a clinician, administrator or other job role they would like to learn more about. Clinical interviews are open to those 15 years of age or older. Download our Observation and Shadowing Application [PDF] for more information.

Thanks to our USA Health Children's & Women's Hospital ambassadors and Safe Kids South Alabama partners, we are able to offer these educational programs to help protect children from unintentional injuries.

Safe Kids is the leading network in education and resources to help prevent childhood injuries.

K-12 Classroom Programs

USA Health Children's & Women's Hospital offers a variety of engaging education programs and tools for elementary, middle school and high school students.

1. Classroom or Library Visit
   Children's & Women's Hospital ambassadors (clinicians, educators and researchers) are available to visit area K-12 schools. Ambassadors can talk with students about the following topics:
   
   • Water/Boating Safety
   • Bike Safety
   • Fire/Burn/Carbon Monoxide Safety
   • Healthy Habits/General Injury Prevention
   • Child Passenger Safety
     • We hold free car seat safety events throughout the year for the communities we serve. This includes car seat inspections, installations and education.
   • Concussion Safety for Sports
   • Getting Ready to Drive
   • Distracted Driving
   • Holiday Safety (i.e. fireworks)
   • Safe Sitter
     • This is an educational program offered to young teens in grades 6-8 during the summer months. The Safe Sitter class is for children who will be staying home alone, watching younger siblings or who babysit younger children. Completing a Safe Sitter course will give those ready-to-learn skills they need to care for themselves and younger children. Email Courtney Thomson, ccthomson@health.southalabama.edu, to get more information.
2. ThinkFirst Mobile
   • USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital is proud to be the host of the ThinkFirst Mobile Chapter. ThinkFirst is an interactive presentation tailored that focuses on head and spinal cord injury. ThinkFirst Mobile helps in the prevention of traumatic, preventable injuries among youth by teaching them to “think” before they act. For more information on programs, download our ThinkFirst Mobile information sheet or email Mary Wilstrup, mboles@health.southalabama.edu.
3. Field Trip to USA Health Children's & Women's Hospital
   
   • Field trips are conducted at Children's & Women's Hospital give students insight to the inner workings of our hospital. The students will hear speakers from different departments and see some demonstrations. Field trips are limited to 25 students per visit, and chaperones must be present. Please note: we can coordinate a visit with the Ronald McDonald House on the same day as the field trip.