High school students in Phoenix are on their way to becoming tomorrow'sdoctors and nurses through a six-week summer course modeled after a UA program that started 36 years ago.

In its second year, Maricopa Med-Start, a team effort between UA, ASU, MesaCommunity College and St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix aswell as other local health facilities, is giving young adults a taste of collegelife and a career in medicine.

The program is coordinated by the Office of Academic Access and Achievement, which aims to promote health careers to students as well as increase cultural diversity in the industry.

"I realized I really want to do this," said Terry Barnum, a Phoenixresident and soon-to-be UA pre-pharmacy freshman.

Barnum took part in last year's program and said it "sealed the deal" for him to come to the UA and study pharmacy.

Students who take part in the program live in residence halls and take college courses that get them a head start with credits, but most participants say the highlight of the program is the weekly trip to St. Joseph's Hospital.

Each Friday at St. Joseph's, students focus on a specific aspect of thehospital like radiology, nursing or intensive care.

Laura Rodriguez, a program counselor, said students were so excited every Friday about each new feature that they would want to change their majors every week.

Yen Nguyen, another future Wildcat, also took part in last summer's program.

Nguyen, who plans to major in pre-nursing, enjoyed the Friday trips to the hospital because she got to meet doctors and nurses and "saw what they feel and saw their adventures."

Many of the students were so impressed with what they saw at St. Joe's andother healthcare facilities like Maricopa Integrated Health Systems that they offered to take volunteer positions in the facilities.

"They're already gaining ties into the health care industry," said Lizette Acosta, program coordinator for the OAAA.

As well as getting students excited about medicine through interactive,hands-on experience and an opportunity to get a head start on some credits, theprogram is also aimed at getting students to college and providing them with theresources to be successful when they get there.

Over the course of the six-week program, students participate in workshops to gain a smooth and painless transition into higher education.

Students attend lectures on what Acosta calls "College 101." In these lectures, students hear from guest speakers about the admission processes, see how to get academic support from resources like the writing center, and get information on financial aid and scholarships.

"We guide them into the right direction, we show them the tricks of thetrade," said Rodriguez.

This year, 17 high school students took part in Maricopa Med-Start, seven more than last year.

The group of students and faculty celebrated their graduation of this summer's program in a closing ceremony at the Phoenix Zoo last Friday.

All ten of the students that participated last summer are going to college,including four who will study at the UA.

Rodriguez predicts that all 17 students from this summer will go on to college unless issues with financial aid get in the way.