<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583426903817.jpeg" alt="Exploring the basics of phlebotomy (blood draws, Emma Mayhill practices venipuncture skills on a simulation arm. Thanks to a recent grant from Midwest Energy, GBHS was able to increase their capabilities and inventory, now offering a Medical Arts Independent Study Lab at no charge to students." />
 <figcaption>Exploring the basics of phlebotomy (blood draws, Emma Mayhill practices venipuncture skills on a simulation arm. Thanks to a recent grant from Midwest Energy, GBHS was able to increase their capabilities and inventory, now offering a Medical Arts Independent Study Lab at no charge to students.</figcaption>
 </figure>Opening new opportunities for students to hone intricate skills with regular practice and repetition, a new Medical Arts Independent Study Lab is opening at Great Bend High School through the generosity of Midwest Energy’s Community Fund.“The age-old adage ‘practice makes perfect’ couldn’t be truer when it comes to learning suturing techniques, surgical knots, and blood draws,” said Ken Botzung, science teacher at Great Bend High School. “With access to medical equipment, simulation tools, and teacher input, the lab time clocked outside of school hours enhances classroom education and student’s abilities.”The lab is set-up as an independent study, meaning that while it is a course of study with instructor support, it is not part of an organized class. Students are required to have successfully completed, or currently enrolled in, Anatomy &amp; Physiology 1 to participate in the lab. Students can book lab time with Mr. Botzung and there is no charge for materials.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583426934631.jpeg" alt="Great Bend High School students, Maria Valdovinos, Tresa Garcia, and Jason Scott, practice suturing techniques on a practice board. The board features different needle types and thread sizes to complete a variety of sutures. Another practice board for surgical knots is also available." />
 <figcaption>Great Bend High School students, Maria Valdovinos, Tresa Garcia, and Jason Scott, practice suturing techniques on a practice board. The board features different needle types and thread sizes to complete a variety of sutures. Another practice board for surgical knots is also available.</figcaption>
 </figure>“We’ve been fortunate to receive a medical equipment from other grant opportunities and school funds, but lacked the ‘expendable’ items like the simulation arms, suturing needles and various thread sizes, as well as the blood collection tubes that make lab learning possible,” said Botzung. “Midwest Energy stepped-up at just the right time, providing the necessary funds to expand our capacity for students.”In addition to the technique building suture and IV tools, students also utilize Sphygmomanometers to check blood pressure, a pulse oximeter to test blood oxygen saturation and heart rate, a percent body fat monitor as well as a hand held ECG (electrocardiogram) to check for abnormal heart rhythm.For more information about the Medical Arts Independent Study Lab, please contact Ken Botzung at 620-793-1521.

Practice makes perfect; students hone medical arts skills thanks to Midwest Energy grant