Scouting America has a program - Learning for Life, that's a career awareness program designed for high school students. It can serve college age students 18 -21.
In 1991 our university president, Dr. Jerry Supple, recognized a need to prepare “his” students with a broader understanding of their future career fields beyond their academic programs. He wanted more “real life” hands-on expereinces.
Dr. Supple chartered five Exploring Post at our university in 1991. One was in healthcare. The other four did not last. It takes a committment and probably expereince as a scout leader to make it work.
Our Medical Explorer Post saw things more positive. We redesigned the program to be more academic and our leaders also had an extensive scouting background. Dr. Supple asked and we made it work.
In Scouting America, there is something known as the Scout Law. It has 12 words that are important to us. Essentially, they're words that describe a person's character.
We're hopeful that these words will remain with our members as Health Professionals. Examine each word, not as a "Scout" word, but as a word of "Character." We believe that if you allow these words to guide you as a Health Professional, you'll be seen as a respected colleague by your peers and a loved health professional by your patients. Isn't that what you want?
Our Medical Explorer program is designed to prepare you in many ways to be a more competent and knowledgable health professional, but Medical Explorers who gain the most from our program develop or grow into better "persons of good character."
We hope that you'll give us a chance. Our program has benefits that are NOT available anywhere else. The community health professionals who provide many of the benefits of your membership also like these words and the type of future health professional who lives their life by these words. These are powerful words, and the experiences you will have as a Medical Explorer are also powerful reinforcers of these words. Think about it - What type of person (or better yet - health professional) do you want to be? If these words resonate with you, you are the student we're looking for to become a Medical Explorer. We have volunteer opportunities where these words will serve you well, opportunities that are not available outside of our Medical Explorer organization.
Omega Leo Medical Explorers keep their word (are reliable). Patients, those we serve, and co-workers can depend upon them. Their fellow Medical Explorers can depend upon them to do what they say they will do. Reliability is the first character trait we must focus on as it impacts both our training and volunteer programs.
Omega Leo Medical Explorers care about their family, friends, leaders, university, and country. They value connections and their network of support. Our training and volunteer program is intensive, so our members must have a laser-sharp focus on all that we do. While we respect other organizations that may be available for college students to participate in, gaining all that one can from what we offer may require a member to focus their attention and loyalty toward this organization. To be listed among our “superstars” will require a member to minimize distractions.
We see our Omega Leo Medical Explorers as helping make Texas State University a safer university. Our members are proud of their university and have reached out to other health organizations to share our training resources. Many of our Medical Explorers are fully certified CPR/First-Aid instructors. We're a certified CPR/First-Aid Training Center for more than one of the leading certification agencies. Our CPR instructors teach on-campus, off-campus, and throughout Central Texas.
Omega Leo Medical Explorers volunteer to help others without expecting a reward. They know that they are entering a “helping” profession. Our Omega Leo Medical Explorers have obligations to others within our communities. We must meet those obligations to maintain our “helpful” reputation.
Omega Leo Medical Explorers are friends to everyone, including those very different from themselves. They respect those differences and try to better understand our different perspectives. As future health professionals, our members know that they must serve all who seek their care with the same respect and professional service. Differences are to be invisible, and the same quality of care must be provided to all.
There is a serious problem in healthcare known as “equity.” Omega Leo Medical Explorers learn to fight equity issues and serve every patient with the same friendly and quality service. Quality care begins with being friendly. Having emotional intelligence and a good bedside manner will help ensure a high score concerning patient satisfaction. Omega Leo Medical Explorers learn to see each patient “not just as a diagnosis but as a person, which they love.” Omega Leo Medical Explorers learn that they do not need to be the smartest person in the room to be seen as a great health professional. An empathic presence and human connection will go a long way in instilling confidence and appreciation among their patients and family.
Omega Leo Medical Explorers are polite to everyone; including patients, family, and co-workers. They understand that there is no room for arrogance. They understand the fragility of medical knowledge, and that as soon as one thinks they know all the answers, something new will come along to change everything we know. Medical Explorers are open to new ways of thinking and respect others.
Omega Leo Medical Explorers treat others as they would like to be treated. Kindness begins with good communication. Omega Leo Medical Explorers have special volunteer opportunities to foster good communication skills they will need as health professionals. Kindness is a character trait we value greatly.
Omega Leo Medical Explorers follow the rules and laws of our country. They understand and respect the acceptable standards of medical professional practice.
Omega Leo Medical Explorers look for the bright side of life, are optimistic about life and medicine, and strive to help others be happy. They are optimistic about the future developments within medical practice. Having a “positive” attitude is an important precursor to being “cheerful.” “Hope” is an important part of being “positive.” Omega Leo Medical Explorers learn the importance of “Hope” for their patients and families.
Omega Leo Medical Explorers value much that is around them. They use resources wisely. They see scarcity in medicine in times of great need and understand how to ration resources effectively for the greater good.
Omega Leo Medical Explorers face difficult situations head-on with courage. They strive to do the right thing. Advanced parts of our training program are designed to prepare Omega Leo Medical Explorers with knowledge of rapidly occurring medical advances and the advantages they will have by staying current in this research. The connection between “Knowledge” and “Bravery” becomes a part of each Omega Leo Medical Explorer’s character.
Omega Leo Medical Explorers respect their body and mind. They know how to protect against pathogens in their medical environment and society. They see first-hand the damage others do to their bodies and lives through poor health behaviors.
Omega Leo Medical Explorers understand the importance of a spiritual life. They respect life and good health in themselves and others. They see themselves as part of something greater than themselves and work hard to protect the sanctity of life. They understand the importance of spiritual matters to patients and their families, and they strive to help in times of grief.
Even if not spiritual themselves, they respect the spiritual nature and faith of others, especially patients and their families. They know the connection between showing compassion for their patients and the respect for their patient’s spiritual nature. They further understand the relationship between their patient’s spiritual perspective and the potential and determination for recovery from serious illness.
Omega Leo Medical Explorers learn quickly that they must adopt “Reliability” as a essential part of their character. Health professionals must be reliable. Patients and co-workers must be able to rely upon any health professional. There is no room for “unreliable” health professionals. Please be aware that this is a very important word to our program. This is the almost universal complaint received from hospitals and medical offices when we visit with volunteer coordinators and practice managers – previous college-age volunteers and shadows were “no-shows” and did not bother to tell anyone they were not coming. The “lack of reliability” is the first obstacle we must overcome in the placement of our Omega Leo Medical Explorers in many of our more intensive volunteer opportunities. We cannot afford to have any Omega Leo Medical Explorer exhibit a “lack of reliability” or to be a “no-show.” This includes internal and external training and volunteer opportunities. We understand emergencies, but inexcusable “no-shows” cannot be tolerated and will not be useful to continuation as a Medical Explorer. Omega Leo Medical Explorers must be “Reliable.”
Omega Leo Medical Explorers learn that they are entering a career where “compassion” makes the difference between a “good or bad” healthcare provider. Understanding how their future patients AND families depend upon them for human kindness and empathy will make them a successful and loved healthcare provider. We have special volunteer opportunities where our members quickly learn the value of “compassion.”
Omega Leo Medical Explorers know the importance of “looking like” a professional. They understand expectations of patients, family, and co-workers for the respect that comes from their actions, manners, and dress. Sloppiness has no place in healthcare. We expect our Omega Leo Medical Explorers to LOOK and ACT like a professional before they begin their “professional” academic program.
