Each summer, Licking Memorial Health Systems (LMHS) hosts Camp Med, a free, two-day summer camp for rising high school seniors who are interested in learning more about medical practices and careers in the healthcare industry.  The program offers students the opportunity to speak with healthcare professionals and experience firsthand what a career in healthcare entails.  LMHS employees Darci Hartshorn, APRN-CNP, Rylee Parkinson, B.S.N., and Christen Saenz participated in Camp Med in 2018.  They share how their experiences helped to influence their career path in the medical field.

Darci Hartshorn, APRN-CNP
Ever since she was a little girl, Darci has always been interested in nursing and has had a passion for helping others.  Her mother, Jessica, worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse for Thomas Hagele, M.D., of Licking Memorial Dermatology.  Darci learned about Camp Med through her high school counselor and decided to apply.

“I knew this would be an educational experience, and I kept an open mind going into the camp,” Darci said.  “It was very enlightening to learn about all the different areas of the Hospital and how each contribute to the overall healthcare setting.  Even if a person is not interested in a clinical position, there are so many other professions that LMHS offers, such as Culinary, Information Systems, Pastoral Care, Pharmacy, and Safety & Security.”

After graduating from Licking Valley High School in 2019, Darci attended Ohio University – Zanesville to obtain her associate degree in nursing.  She began working at Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH) in 2021 as a nurse caring for COVID-19 patients on 4-East.  She later moved to 6-East and then to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU).

While working at LMH, Darci earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and her Master of Science in Nursing degree from Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Kentucky.  She began her position as a Nurse Practitioner at Licking Memorial Family Practice – Johnstown this past February.

Rylee Parkinson, B.S.N.
Rylee became interested in nursing because her aunt was a nurse.  She remembers her aunt letting her play with her stethoscope when she was young.  During high school, Rylee attended the Clinical Care Program at the Career and Technology Education Centers (C-TEC) of Licking County to obtain hands-on experience in the medical field.  When she learned about Camp Med during her junior year, she jumped at the opportunity to apply.

“It was exciting to be able to be in a real hospital setting and experience things hands-on,” Rylee explained.  “I remember learning how to don surgical scrubs, going into the operating room, and getting hands-on experience with a mock intubation and laparoscopic surgery.”

Rylee joined LMH in 2021 as a patient care assistant (PCA) working in the CCU.  She quickly became a lead PCA and took on the responsibility of overseeing and coordinating patient care activities as well as supervising and training new staff members.  During this time, Rylee attended Ohio University – Zanesville and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 2024.  She transitioned from a PCA role to a nursing role and continues to work in the CCU.  Rylee is a participant in the LMH Nurse Residency Program, which provides new graduate nurses with a transition from a student role to registered nurse role.  The program is intended to fully prepare new nurses to provide safe and effective care in the acute care environment.

Christen Saenz, Patient Care Assistant
Christen enjoyed watching medical-related television shows when she was young, and she became interested in pursuing a career in healthcare when she was in middle school.  Christen studied in the Clinical Care Program at C-TEC and learned about Camp Med from a flyer that was displayed in the school lab.

“Camp Med was a wonderful opportunity for me to initiate a connection at LMH and discover the abundance of career prospects that were available there,” Christen said.  “The staff who participated in the camp were so welcoming and enthusiastic about sharing their experience and knowledge within their respective fields.”

Christen joined LMH in 2021 as a PCA working on the 5th Floor and is now a lead PCA responsible for improving workflow on the floor and training new employees.  She is pursuing her nursing degree at Central Ohio Technical College through the Student Nurse Program at LMH.  The Student Nurse Program assists current employees who are involved in frontline, direct patient care roles in obtaining their nursing degree.

Students who will be high school seniors during the 2025-2026 school year are eligible to attend Camp Med next summer.  Applications for the 2026 Camp Med program will be made available in November of this year.  Students can learn more about the Camp Med program by talking with their guidance counselor or calling the Licking Memorial Events Line at (220) 564-1560.