For some high school students, becoming a physician appears to be a long road that's too far off to be excited about, acknowledged Jennifer Mettling, third-year medical student at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita.

That's one of the many reasons why the annual Doc for a Day program at KU School of Medicine-Wichita is so important. Just like the program's name implies, Doc for a Day gives area high school students a chance to discover what medical school is all about.

"Doc for a Day allows these kids to fast forward and really step into the shoes of a doctor or medical student for a day, and in a fun and encouraging environment," said Mettling, who helped coordinate the program.

This year, 71 junior and senior high school students from nearly 20 area schools participated in Doc for a Day on Nov. 2 at KU School of Medicine-Wichita. High school principals and guidance counselors recommend the students for participation in the program, which is sponsored by the Family Medicine Interest Group at KU School of Medicine-Wichita.

Doc for a Day started in 2002 and includes several stations in which KU medical students demonstrate various medical techniques and then guide the high school students in trying it for themselves.

"They learn how to hold surgical instruments and suture a wound, how to ‘scrub in' for a sterile surgery, how to use and place a stethoscope, and much more," Mettling said.

The medical students who help organize the program "also toss in some practical tips on how to prepare for the future and what to expect, so it opens their eyes to both how awesome the field of medicine is and what it takes to get there," she said.

The high school students asked questions during Doc for a Day and said the time was extremely worthwhile, said Rick Kellerman, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Family & Community Medicine at KU School of Medicine-Wichita.

"Our ultimate hope would be to see these same faces walking around KU School of Medicine-Wichita in a few short years!" Mettling said.

Students participating in the 2019 Doc for a Day program were from the following schools:

• Andale High School
• Andover Central High School
• Augusta High School
• Cheney High School
• Circle High School (Towanda)
• Clearwater High School
• Derby High School
• Eisenhower High School (Goddard)
• El Dorado High School
• Maize High School
• Maize South High School
• Mulvane High School
• Newton High School
• Rose Hill High School
• Wichita Northeast Magnet High School
• Wichita Northwest High School
• Wichita Southeast High School
• Valley Center High School