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FDRHPO Expands Summer MASH Camp with Two New Sites, Including
First‑Ever Army Medical
Experience
Published: May 26, 2026 at
09:00 a.m.
By: Press Release from Fort Drum Regional Health
Planning Organization
FDRHPO Expands Summer MASH Camp with Two New Sites, Including
First‑Ever Army Medical
Experience
 WATERTOWN, NY — Fort Drum
Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO) is expanding our popular
Summer MASH Camp program for 2026, adding two new locations – the North
Country Family Health Center (NoCo) and a first‑of‑its‑kind Army Medical
experience through Fort Drum’s MEDDAC. The additions mark a significant
step in FDRHPO’s ongoing effort to strengthen the region’s healthcare
workforce pipeline.
MASH Camp, a no‑cost program for
students in grades 8–12, offers hands‑on exposure to healthcare careers
through interactive activities, department tours, and real‑world
demonstrations. Students can apply online through June 5, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Beth Solar,
Workforce Outreach Manager at FDRHPO, said interest in this year’s sessions
is already high.
“With the
addition of two new locations, including our first-ever Army Medical
experience, students will have even more opportunities to explore
healthcare careers in dynamic, real-world settings,” Mrs. Solar said.
Each camp runs
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering students a chance to observe healthcare
professionals, explore hospital departments, and participate in activities with
local fire departments and medical air transport services.
MASH CAMP LOCATION AND DATES:
·
River Hospital:
July 6–8
·
Samaritan Medical Center, Session #1: July 13–15
·
Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center: July 21–23
·
North Country Family Health Center: July 22–23 (New 2‑day camp location)
·
Fort Drum MEDDAC / Army Medical Experience: July 27–28 (New 2-day camp; location
TBD.)
·
Lewis County Health System: July 28–30
·
Gouverneur Hospital: July 28–30
·
Samaritan Medical Center, Session #2: August 10–12
·
Carthage Area Hospital: August 12–14
·
Samaritan Medical Center, Session #3: August 24–26
Due to our
region’s rural location in the far northern corner of New York state,
recruiting and retaining an adequate supply of healthcare professionals has
always been a struggle for our local providers. For years, however, FDRHPO
has been committed to assisting with this process through its long-term
regional Recruitment, Retention, and Education (RREC) program, and is
dedicated to building a strong regional healthcare workforce by offering
healthcare career exploration programs to elementary students through
adults, working with higher education to increase access to healthcare
education, and educating our community on the range of healthcare career
opportunities available. Our efforts are aimed at continuously enhancing
healthcare excellence within the community.
In addition,
FDRHPO partners with the Workforce Development Institute (WDI) to fund MASH
Camp as a FREE program for area students.
Students and
other individuals interested in exploring healthcare careers can also take
advantage of FDRHPO’s Job Shadow program, an exciting opportunity to step
inside real healthcare settings and see the profession in action. By
connecting participants with local healthcare professionals and clinical
environments, the program offers a valuable firsthand look at the skills,
teamwork, and day-to-day experiences that shape today’s healthcare careers,
helping inspire the next generation of providers and guiding participants
toward informed education and career choices.
For more
information about MASH Camp or Job Shadow opportunities, follow this link, email workforce@fdrhpo.org, or call
315-755-2020 ext. 25.
About the Fort
Drum Regional Health Planning Organization
FDRHPO works to strengthen the health system for the integrated Fort Drum
and civilian community by analyzing needs, identifying gaps, and leveraging
resources to fill them through innovation and collaboration. For more
information about FDRHPO, visit www.fdrhpo.org.
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