GIFFORD, Fla. – Friday, August 28, 2026 – Through a partnership between the Gifford Youth Achievement Center (GYAC) and Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, 60 students in first through third grade attending GYAC’s Summer Camp stepped into the world of medicine during an interactive “Mini Med School” experience hosted at the GYAC on Thursday, July 23, 2026. The educational event introduced young learners to a variety of medical specialties while encouraging healthy habits and inspiring curiosity about future careers in healthcare.
Throughout the event, students rotated through hands-on learning stations focused on several areas of medicine, including dermatology, pulmonology, cardiology, pediatrics, gastroenterology, and neurology, with healthcare professionals bringing each area to life. As students rotated through each station with their very own lab coats, they explored fascinating facts about the human body, engaged in interactive games and hands-on activities, and learned ways to maintain healthy lifestyles.
The interactive format gave students the opportunity to ask questions and participate in activities, such as listening to the heart with a stethoscope, discovering how reflexes work with a reflex hammer, and practicing deep breathing techniques for stress relief. These hands-on experiences gave students a fun and memorable way to see firsthand how the lessons they learned connect to their everyday health.
“I believe this is such an important experience for our young children, so they can be exposed to medicine at a young age and understand the impact that nurses, physicians, and all healthcare providers have on our community,” said Kathleen Regan, RN, BSN, at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital.
“The Mini Med School gave our students an exciting opportunity to see healthcare up close in a way that was fun, hands-on, and age appropriate. We are grateful for our partnership with Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and for the chance to inspire our young learners to think about healthy habits, science, and the many possibilities available to them in the future,” said Curtis Webb, the GYAC’s Director of Youth Programs.
Together, the GYAC and Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital are creating meaningful opportunities that connect students with their community, promote lifelong healthy habits, and inspire them to see themselves as future professionals in the healthcare field.
To learn more about the Gifford Youth Achievement Center and its programs, visit www.mygyac.org.
About GYAC
Gifford Youth Achievement Center, a 501(c)(3), opened its doors in 1998 on a mission to enhance the academic experience of underserved youth in Indian River County. Twenty-eight years later, GYAC continues to offer year-round educational programs for students in grades K – 12. In addition, GYAC provides activities for adults and seniors. The Center also hosts job fairs, health clinics, community gatherings, and serves as an information hub for those in need of services.
Photos provided
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- Students, healthcare professionals, and staff come together following an interactive “Mini Med School” experience at the GYAC designed to promote health education and inspire career exploration in the medical field.
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- Students discover how reflexes work, as one student uses a reflex hammer to test another student’s knee reflex.
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- A student examines his skin through a magnifying glass while learning about the importance of skin health and the role of dermatology.
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- Nurses with Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital guide students through a pulmonology station, where they learn about the role of a pulmonologist, explore lung health, and practice deep breathing techniques to support stress relief and overall wellness.
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- Students from the Gifford Youth Achievement Center (GYAC) pose with their stethoscopes during an interactive “Mini Med School” experience hosted through a partnership between the GYAC and Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, introducing them to the world of healthcare through hands-on activities.
