Each summer, White County Medical Center hosts the Medical Application of Science for Health (M*A*S*H) program.  The M*A*S*H program gives students from rural Arkansas high schools an opportunity to experience various aspects of the medical field.

The two-week program gives students hands-on experience and opportunities to job shadow.  Program participants gain experience in several hospital departments, such as pharmacy, New Life Center and radiology.

In past M*A*S*H sessions, students took part in interactive videos with UAMS professors and learned how to take blood pressure, suture bananas, give shots to oranges and dissect pig hearts. Each M*A*S*H participant also received first aid and CPR certification during the program. 

Each year, WCMC has an overwhelming response of students interested in participating in M*A*S*H, but only 16 students are chosen.  WCMC requires that the students have completed Biology, have a GPA of at least 2.5 and have four letters of recommendation.  Students may obtain applications from their school advisors or from the hospital.  After the applications are reviewed, students may be contacted for an interview. 

The M*A*S*H program is offered across the state through the Arkansas Medical MENTOR Partnership, which includes the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) of UAMS, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, Arkansas Farm Bureau, the Office of Oral Health and participating hospitals.

For more information about the M*A*S*H program, call (501) 380-3381.