Building Excellence and Achievement in Medicine (BEAM) was established by the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Office of Community Advancement (OCA) to introduce local middle school students to the world of medicine.
Each month, learners from sixth through eighth grade engage in an interactive exploration of various healthcare topics. Sessions are designed to spark curiosity and excitement about medicine and inspire young scholars to envision their future in the medical field.
During their October session, BEAM scholars learned about regional and national public health agencies, the significance of Gram staining, the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) in laboratory settings, and essential food safety principles for home practice.
The UK College of Medicine Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Community Engagement and Belonging Committee partnered with OCA to host an enlightening BEAM session led by Christopher Radka, PhD.
Thanks to the generous support of Ella Hamm and VWR, students donned lab coats, gloves, and goggles, immersing themselves in the experience of being scientists. Utilizing microscopes provided by John D’Orazio, MD, BEAM scholars analyzed Gram stains.
Under the guidance of Svetlana Zamakhaeva, MIMG graduate research assistant, Robert Neff, lab technician, Hamm, and Dr. D’Orazio, students focused the microscopes and interpreted their findings.
The session culminated in an interactive activity where students simulated public health agencies, reporting infection outbreak data based on their Gram stain analyses and identifying sources of food contamination.
The enthusiastic participation and genuine learning displayed by the students were evident through assessments conducted by OCA, highlighting the program's positive impact.
Each session offers a glimpse into different health care careers through lectures and hands-on activities. During a unique Food as Medicine segment, learners prepare healthy snacks aligned with the session’s theme, reinforcing the connection between nutrition and health. In partnership with a local dance company, BEAM participants also get to explore dance as medicine.
BEAM is held at First Baptist Bracktown Church in Lexington, Ky., one Saturday per month during the academic year. The remaining Saturdays for the 2024-2025 academic year include Nov. 16, Jan. 18, Mar. 15, and May 17.
For more information about BEAM or to get involved, please contact the UK Office of Community Advancement.
