A group of students from Detroit’s Cody High School spent a week immersed in the world of cardiovascular medicine and science, learning about possible careers and shadowing experts at University of Michigan Health’s Frankel Cardiovascular Center.

The “Careers in Cardiovascular Science and Medicine” program ran from May 22-26. In its second year, the program offers opportunities to meet and network with health care and research professionals, shadow leaders and take part in hands-on medical demonstrations.

“It has been an amazing week — and so rewarding to witness the students’ excitement and self-confidence grow as they challenge themselves to learn new things and learn about all of the various career options they have in cardiovascular medicine, science and health care,” said Joi Rencher, LMSW, the culture, well-being and community outreach program manager at the U-M Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center.

Five students returned for their second year of the program, taking on the role of ambassadors with a focus on leadership development. For sophomore Kennedi Porter Jones, 15, this was an opportunity she could not pass up.

“I’ve been wanting to do surgery since I was nine years old,” Porter said. “When I was younger, I watched my grandmother pass away from a heart attack, and I wished I knew what to do. I want to go to medical school at U-M, and this is a great opportunity for me to get to do some things in the medical field that I wouldn’t be able to do until college if I waited.”

Activities ranged from a hands-on workshop in which cardiac surgeons guided students through dissecting and suturing pig hearts to panels led by the U-M Medical School Black Medical Student Association and the U-M Center for Educational Outreach.

This program is a “blessing” for students who get to attend, said Angela Ensley, master teacher at Cody High School.

“It’s inspiring our students who do not receive the same equitable and quality education as others to give them hope and let them know that they matter and do have a place in these fields,” Ensley said. “They’re taking ownership and engaging in academic discourse. I know of at least two students who will be pursuing a health-related career. This program has sparked their minds to make them believe in themselves and say, ‘I can do this, too.’”