Hahnemann Doctors Give Life Changing Lessons To Students
By Stephanie Stahl
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A lifesaving lesson for some Philadelphia students has doctors stepping out of the hospital and into the class room.
Heart disease is the leading killer of Americans. Doctors at Hahnemann University Hospital are hoping that teaching kids about the disease when they're young will help them avoid it when they're older.
Students at Hartranft Elementary School, in North Philadelphia, are getting a chance to listen to someone else's heart in hopes that it will encourage them to follow their own.
"Hahnemann reached out to us and wanted to do something unique and new for our students," said Jason Lytle, the Principal of Hartranft.
"What we decided to do was adopt a classroom, and that's really what this program is," said Dr. Paul Langevin, the Director of Thoracic Anesthesia at Hahnemann University Hospital.
The program was started by doctors at Hahnemann and aims to keep students off the streets and focused on their futures.
"What we try to do is come here and show them that there is a group of people, who are by some standards successful, and we would like them to move in that direction," Langevin said.
Each week the hospital sends a doctor to talk to the students. This time Dr. Paul Langevin is letting the students get their hands on an artificial heart.
Sandra Baer is the owner of that artificial heart, and she has a lifesaving message for the kids.
"Don't get into drugs, don't smoke, I smoked and this is what it got me, Baer said. "So do yourself a favor. Focus on education, and then you can fulfill your dreams."
The hospital is encouraging people from all professions to come out and volunteer. The program takes place every Monday. The idea is to get kids interested in medicine and other careers early on.
