Oak Forest students get dirty with gross anatomy

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Oak Forest High School students (from left) Jessie Sandoval, Hannah Alvarez, Sara Valente and Amelia McDowell experience the same routine as a real forensic pathologist during the recent College and Career Center program. | Supplied photo

Updated: February 23, 2012 8:05AM

Oak Forest High School students recently were able to experience the same tools of the trade as a real life forensic pathologist during a College and Career Center presentation at the school.

Forensic pathologists from the pathology department of the University of Chicago Hospital were on-hand to discuss their experiences and the education they need to enter their field of forensic pathology.

The forensic pathologists also related the things they do as a part of a medical autopsy and in a criminal autopsy. In the criminal autopsy, the pathologists work closely with the Chicago Police Department to determine the cause of death.

After the lecture, students felt a human brain, a human tongue, a foot and other organs that the forensic pathologists regularly handle as a part of their job. They compared diseased hearts to healthy hearts and saw a diseased liver.

The College and Career Center at Oak Forest High School regularly schedules people to come in and talk to students about what they do and what type of education is needed in order to do it.

The purpose of this, according to Oak Forest High School project manager Dan Quist, is to get students involved and interested in what they are going to study in college and to help them learn about a potential career path.

“It is an excellent opportunity and something I wish I had in high school,” Quist said.

The College and Career Center has featured talks by a policeman, a secret service agent, a doctor, a nuclear engineer, a pharmacist, a journalist, a physical therapist, a firefighter, a cosmetologist, a banker and a veterinarian.

There are more openings for more career speakers to address Oak Forest High School students. If you or someone you know has an interesting career and would like to speak at the high school, contact Quist at dquist@bhsd228.com.