Medical Terminology, more commonly known as Med Term, is a relatively new class that was started about two years ago. Sarah McGregor, a former science teacher at New Ulm High School, proposed the idea of this class but left before getting the chance to develop and teach it. However, Mrs. Olson came the next year and was a good fit to teach the class. She developed the curriculum and started teaching it that year. At the end of the first semester, students thought the class was so helpful that they asked if it was possible to have the class continue into the next semester so they could learn more. After enough students said they would be interested in taking a new class, which would be called Medical Terminology II, a section was opened up. Fortunately there was a mix up in the schedule and it made it possible for this class to be offered.

Many of the students in Med Terms II have expressed interest in going into some type of medical career in the future. Mrs. Olson states, “I think that most of the students are interested in a career in the medical field or they are unsure. I think it is a great opportunity for students to evaluate their interests. This class could really turn a student on to a career in medicine or it could save them some money in the future if they decide it’s not for them and they don’t waste time in college figuring that out!” Several of the students in the class are thinking about becoming nurses, EMTs, and physician assistants.  The goal of the class is to help students know how to break down medical terms so they can understand them. Med Term II currently has 25 students, and Mrs. Olson said she is very proud of the work the students have done. 

The Med Term class covers a variety of advanced concepts that might give students considering going into the medical field some advantages that could help them in college.  Mrs. Olson said, “This class is a body-system approach to medical terminology. Students in the class learn a body system at a time and terminology that fits within that body system–this includes the system itself and anatomical terms as well as diseases, disorders, specialties (job possibilities), and pharmaceutical treatments.” Unfortunately, at this time students are not able to get college credit for the class. However, these students will leave this class with an increased understanding of the body and how it works, as well as an advanced vocabulary.