Suturing bananas and hearing about the challenges and rewards of life as an emergency room doctor launched the first meeting of a new club at Eastern Mennonite School: Pre-health Bioclub.

The club, founded by junior Abby Stapleton, is part of the National Association of Biology Teachers Bioclub program. She started the club because “I wanted to share the passion that I have for this potential career and learn more alongside others about career options,” said Stapleton, who is considering a future as a surgeon.

Brad Moyer, MD, and father of Aaron Moyer ’20, visited the club’s first meeting to share about being an emergency room doctor at Sentara RMH and past work in Pennsylvania and Honduras. He also taught the students to suture.. a banana. Stapleton has appreciated the opportunity to shadow Dr. Moyer in the past.

Dr. Wendy Staplton, high school biology teacher and mother to Abby, is excited for the chance for students to learn about all kinds of health care opportunities and potentially pursue scholarships through the club connections.

The club is for high school students interested in pursuing a health related career. They anticipate at least one activity a month which will generally feature a guest speaker from a different specialty area. Nurse practioner Lynne Eggert, mother of Meghan ’20, is scheduled to speak next week.

The NATB Bioclub program mission is to “recruit, support, nurture, and promote students with an interest in biological sciences for personal reasons, academic preparation, the betterment of society, and career opportunities by providing guidance, resources, and activities to meet these goals,” according to their website.

If you are an alumnus or community member working in the medical field who would like to speak to the club or host them for a field trip, please contact alumni@easternmennonite.org.

Photos by Andrew Gascho.