HCA Florida Brandon Hospital teams up with local schools for Great American Teach-In
HCA Florida Brandon Hospital nurses, physicians and paramedics joined forces across Hillsborough County to inspire the next generation during the Great American Teach-In on November 20. Healthcare professionals from Brandon Hospital and its Emergency Departments in Riverview, Plant City, New Tampa, University, Lakeland and North Lakeland traveled to schools east, west, north and south of the county to share their expertise and passion for healthcare careers.
Leaders visited Wharton High School and Brandon High School to speak directly with students about career opportunities in healthcare and what steps to take after graduation. At elementary schools, younger students enjoyed hands-on learning experiences, including a visit from an HCA Florida Brandon Hospital ambulance. Children learned about hands-only CPR and explored the inside of an ambulance, sparking curiosity about emergency medicine.
Dr. Bryan Steinberg, a thoracic surgeon at Brandon Hospital, spoke to two classes at Brandon High School about the health risks vaping poses to teenagers as part of Lung Cancer Awareness Month. This age group is heavily targeted by marketing, and the danger of developing lung cancer from this habit is an important message.
“The lungs are like sponges. They expand and contract. The harmful chemicals inhaled while vaping cause the lungs to thicken and harden. It’s almost like sucking air through a straw, and it makes breathing harder,” Steinberg said. “There are medications that can help people stop vaping and smoking. It typically takes three months, but under medical care, withdrawal symptoms can be managed. That can help prevent lung cancer from spreading.”
In total, HCA Florida Brandon Hospital teams visited about a dozen schools, including Mintz, Lithia Springs, Boyette Springs, Springhead and Walden Lake Elementary Schools, as well as Wharton and Brandon High Schools. These visits provided students with real-world insights into healthcare careers and the critical role these professionals play in the community.