By Sara McCloskey

It was surreal walking into the hospital for her first day on the job.

About 23 years ago, Kaitlyn Lynch, OTD, OTR/L, was born at VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital. Having lived in South Hill, Virginia for most of her life, Lynch knew the ins and outs of the medical campus. She even spent several summers there as a teen.

“I knew when I was young that I wanted to be in health care, but it was after I attended the Career Scene Investigation Camp at CMH that I decided I wanted to become an occupational therapist,” Lynch said. “When I was in high school, I came to CMH and shadowed in CMH's Rehab Center which contributed to my application to school.”

Career Scene Investigation (CSI) Camp is a week-long opportunity for middle school students to learn about different health care professions at CMH. They spend time with team members from many clinical areas and have hands-on learning opportunities, such as applying casts and splints, taking x-rays, and touring the emergency department. They have plenty of fun too.

“You certainly don’t forget the enthusiasm of an eager young middle schooler simulating surgery by sewing up a chicken in the ER,” Hazel Willis, education manager and CSI Camp coordinator at CMH said. “Their faces beam with excitement as they talk about wanting to become a doctor, nurse, radiology tech, or another medical profession.”

CSI Camp is one of many community resources developed by CMH to engage residents in their service area and educate them about different health care issues. Other programs include diabetes classes and speaking events with providers on health topics of interest to their patients, such as breast cancer, bladder health, and stroke.

However, CSI Camp is specifically geared towards middle schoolers – opening their eyes to their own potential in the field of health care.

“By giving them the chance to see health care in action, we hope that they may think about a career in health care and become a team member making a difference in someone else’s life,” Willis said. “You never know what impact the camp has on decisions the campers make about their lifelong career.”

For Lynch, the opportunities at CSI Camp helped her see what was possible if she had a career in health care.

As she graduated high school in 2019, Lynch participated in the dual enrollment program so she could receive her associate's degree from Southside Virginia Community College at the same time. After going to James Madison University for her undergraduate degree and Mary Baldwin University for occupational therapy school, Lynch graduated with her Doctor of Occupational Therapy in May 2024.

A month later, she came back to where her passion for health care all started.

“I knew I always wanted to come back here to work,” Lynch said. “CMH is family, and it feels like home.”