UMA welcomed 75 high school students to its Bangor campus on May 12 for a Rural Workforce Medical Bootcamp, a day designed to give students a closer look at healthcare and human services careers in Maine.

Students from the Katahdin and Washington County regions spent the day with UMA faculty and staff discovering opportunities in nursing, veterinary technology, dental health, medical laboratory technology, and mental health and human services. They rotated through hands-on activities, asked questions, and learned more about the kinds of careers that support Maine communities every day.

The program gives students an up-close look at different career options, with the hope of one day helping fill workforce needs in some of Maine’s most rural communities.

“If you think about the healthcare team, it’s the whole team. It’s not just about getting a provider to an area. It’s about helping secure professions for students who want to stay in their rural communities but granting them the access to really explore what their options are,” said Shannon Gauvin, director of nursing at the Â鶹APP, in a WABI TV5 story about the event. 

The Bangor event followed a recent Medical Bootcamp in Augusta, where approximately 40 Oxford County high school students explored health care programs through hands-on demonstrations in nursing, medical laboratory technology, mental health and human services, and dental programs. The Augusta event was offered in partnership with through a grant.

Together, the two events show how UMA is working with partners across the state to introduce students to healthcare and human services fields earlier, and in a more hands-on way. For many students, a day like this can make these careers feel more real and more within reach.

UMA is grateful to the students, schools, faculty, staff, and partners who helped make the Bangor event possible, including and Executive Director Korah Soll, whose collaboration helped bring students to campus for the experience.

High school students from Oxford County explored the future of health care through Â鶹APP second annual Medical Bootcamp, an immersive daylong event designed to help students connect their interests with in-demand career pathways across Maine.

Approximately 40 students took part in hands-on activities and program demonstrations led by UMA faculty and staff in nursing, medical laboratory technology, mental health and human services and dental programs. The experience gave students a closer look at the skills, settings and opportunities that shape health care careers, while showing how UMA programs can help them take the next step.

The participating Oxford County high schools are part of a Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities grant through Community Concepts. Through this partnership, UMA is helping expand access to career exploration for rural students and strengthening pathways into fields that support Maine’s communities.

The momentum continues May 12, when will host a second Medical Bootcamp for about 150 students from 12 schools in the Katahdin Region and Washington County. That event will feature Â鶹APP veterinary technology program along with nursing, , and programs.

UMA is helping students across Maine see what is possible in health care, one hands-on experience at a time.

Allison Simpson, MS, LVT, a long-time staff member of the Â鶹APP Bangor Veterinary Technology Program, was recently awarded the inaugural Maine Veterinary Technician of the Year award. Nominated by peers across the state, the award was voted on by members of the Maine Veterinary Technician Association.

Ally has been part of the UMA Bangor Veterinary Technology Program since ’08 and is also a graduate of the program, earning her AS in veterinary technology degree in ’06. She is incredibly proud of the program’s growth over the past two decades. She remains committed to supporting the next generation of veterinary technicians through education, mentorship, and hands-on clinical training.

Her dedication to veterinary medicine, technician education, and the professional community continues to make a meaningful impact on students, colleagues, and the veterinary field throughout Maine. Congrats Ally!

When Dr. Kelby Myers packed her bags for the remote Himalayas of Nepal, she carried more than medical supplies—she brought the kind of expertise that transforms lives, even across continents. A veterinarian and instructor at the Â鶹APP, Myers was handpicked for an international mission that would prove how one skilled professional can create lasting change.

The mission was ambitious: help save endangered snow leopards while improving veterinary care in Nepal’s isolated Manang Valley. Snow leopards face a deadly threat—not just from habitat loss, but from diseases carried by domestic animals and fearful herders who kill leopards to protect their livestock. Myers joined a team sponsored by the Snow Leopard Conservancy and International Veterinary Outreach, knowing that better animal care could mean the difference between extinction and survival for these magnificent cats.

Myers was the perfect choice. After earning her doctorate at Oregon State University, she built a career spanning equine medicine, large animal practices, and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. But it was her combination of medical expertise, teaching excellence, fitness as an endurance athlete, and adventurous spirit that made her invaluable.

Myers work in Nepal revealed the power of education to transform entire communities. The region’s veterinary technicians, typically the youngest and most inexperienced due to the isolation of these remote assignments, had been operating without adequate equipment, resources, reference materials, or experienced mentorship. Diseases that would devastate American agriculture were routine occurrences. “The technicians were in way over their heads,” Myers recalls. Without proper diagnostic tools or training support, even basic veterinary skills were challenging to develop.

Rather than simply treating animals, Myers and her team pivoted to what mattered most: education. They taught basic diagnostic skills, animal welfare, and disease prevention. They showed herders how to distinguish between wolf and cat kills, how to shelter animals safely, and distributed fox lights to confuse night-time predators. Most importantly, they demonstrated that compassionate care could replace dangerous and painful practices.

The breakthrough moment came on their final day. A horse owner arrived with his prized racehorse for castration, a procedure that local practitioners performed without anesthesia or pain medication, simply because they lacked access to better methods. “I told him I didn’t need the restraining ropes,” Myers explains. “I have medicine for that; he won’t feel a thing.” Using field anesthesia, she performed the operation while local technicians crowded around to learn. When the horse stood up gently, with no bleeding, the grateful owner had tears in his eyes.

That single procedure encapsulated everything the mission represented: how knowledge, compassion, and proper training can revolutionize care. The impact extends far beyond one horse: healthier livestock means fewer leopard kills, better-trained technicians can serve entire regions, and conservation efforts gain community support.

Back in Maine, Myers brings this global perspective to UMA’s Veterinary Technology Program on the Bangor campus. UMA’s Vet Tech program is the only one in the state offering both Associate and Bachelor degrees. Her students don’t just learn technical skills; they’re prepared to become part of a skilled workforce ready to serve Maine’s communities and beyond, wherever they choose to practice. With a near-100% job placement rate and state-of-the-art facilities, the program reflects UMA’s commitment to breaking down barriers between students and their dreams.

Dr. Myers’ journey from Maine to the Himalayas and back demonstrates how compassionate professionals who see a need and choose to act can create transformation in communities, and sometimes across the world.

Learn more about UMA’s Veterinary Technology Program and discover how you can join this tradition of excellence.

Check out this that explores the One Health One Welfare Initiative the Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC) embarked upon in the Manang District of Nepal together with its partners, International Veterinary Outreach (IVO), Animal Nepal, and Mountain Spirit.

Yesterday, Â鶹APP Dental Health Program Coordinator, Nancy Foster, had the opportunity to participate in CMCC’s Sophomore Career Fair, where she shared valuable insights with local high school students about careers in Dental Hygiene and Assisting. Nancy highlighted the importance of dental hygiene and the vital role dental professionals play in public health.

Additionally, Patricia Glidden, a faculty member in Veterinary Technology, was on site to speak with students interested in exploring the exciting field of Veterinary Technology.

A big thank you to CMCC for inviting us to be part of this annual event and help guide the next generation of professionals!

The Â鶹APP (UMA) is excited to invite all aspiring veterinary professionals to an engaging and informative info session at the UMA Bangor Campus. This event, hosted by the UMA Veterinary Technology program, promises an exclusive opportunity to explore the world of veterinary technology and learn about the outstanding educational offerings available at UMA.

Event Details:

Date: Monday, October 2nd, 2023

Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST

Location: UMA Bangor Campus

Address: Veterinary Technology Clinic – Camden Hall, 25 Texas Ave, Bangor, ME

This event is free and open to anyone interested in pursuing a career in veterinary technology.

The UMA Veterinary Technology program has a strong reputation for producing highly skilled professionals in the field of veterinary medicine. This info session aims to provide prospective students with valuable insights into the program, its curriculum, and the state-of-the-art facilities available for hands-on learning.

What to Expect:

Meet Faculty: Attendees will meet the dedicated faculty members and other students of the program.

Tour the Veterinary Technology Clinic: Experience a guided tour of Â鶹APP cutting-edge Veterinary Technology Clinic, where participants will see the tools and technologies used in veterinary practice.

Admissions Guidance: UMA’s Admissions Team will be available to assist prospective students in navigating the admissions process, answering questions, and providing valuable information about scholarships and financial aid.

UMA’s Veterinary Technology program offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines classroom instruction with practical hands-on experience. Students gain the knowledge and skills required for a rewarding career in veterinary medicine. The program is fully accredited and prepares students to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).

More information and an RSVP for the event can be found here.

The UMA 2022-2023 Scholarship application is open now with a deadline of March 31, 2022.

Applicants will be evaluated on academic achievement, leadership, and community and/or campus service.

Steps to Apply

1. Submit the online form available on the Scholarships webpage.
2. Attach resume and cover letter containing a personal statement as to why the applicant feels they should be considered for a scholarship.

Details

• Scholarships based on financial eligibility require the student to submit their by UMA’s preferred filing deadline of March 1, 2022.
• All Scholarships require a minimum academic cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
• Scholarship awardees will be notified no later than May 1, 2022.
• Students graduating in Summer 2022 or Fall 2022 are NOT eligible for these scholarships.

Questions?

Contact UMA Student Financial Services at umafa@maine.edu.

As Hispanic Heritage Month draws to a close, it is fitting that we highlight two of our emerging Hispanic leaders at UMA and see what they have to say about their roles in SGA. We are lucky at UMA to have such thoughtful and engaged student leaders.

Grace Hills serves as the Vice President of Bangor SGA

“Mi nombre es, (My name is), Grace Katherine Hills Prado. This is my second year at UMA and I’m proud to be elected as Vice-President for the Bangor campus. One of the things I’m looking forward to doing is to help coordinate events for the students. Outside of school I work in a health care setting where I plan events for the elderly and make sure they always have something making them smile! Hispanic Heritage month is something that really sticks out to me and as I come from a Chilean background. I believe having diversity in leadership allows us to expand on ideas and makes sure that more of the student body is heard. One of the things that I would really love to do this year is an event that allows all us to share our cultures. If you have any ideas, please email me at Grace.Hills@maine.edu, I’m looking forward to hearing from you.”

David LeĂłn serves as the SGA President for Augusta

“Hola! Mi nombre es, (My name is), David LeĂłn. I am a 44-year-old Hispanic Army Veteran presently pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science with a concentration in psychology at the Â鶹APP. I am the President of Student Government, the Chair of the General Assembly, a member of the DEI council, and member of the honors program. As a student leader, one of my primary responsibilities is to advocate for and create a student forum where students may air their issues and we, the elected student body, can respond to those concerns. Because I’m Puerto Rican, I’m open to learning about and appreciating different cultures. Cultural heritage is a record of a society’s ways of life as they have been handed down through the years. We must never forget where we came from. Feel free to reach out to me at david.leon@maine.edu.”

Staff and students from Â鶹APP Vet Tech Program shared information and plenty of doggie bandanas at Pet Rock in the Park in Portland’s Deering Oaks Park on August 29. Â鶹APP booth was visited by several UMS graduates who were very happy to have their pup wear an ‘Alma Mater’ bandana! In addition to live music entertainment, food trucks, and plenty of vendors, participants also visited rescues and shelters with pets looking for their forever homes. UMA also sponsored a booth for the Maine Vet Tech Association.

Participants included: Dr. Jennifer Freese, Alex Carson, Delenn Colson, and Veronica Burgett.