During Operation Alabama Black Belt’s campaign in Selma, students from Selma High School’s nursing program assisted military personnel in providing free medical and dental services to Black Belt residents.

U.S. Navy Cdr. Patricia McCafferty said 12 students worked in the Lawrence Avenue and Washington Street stations each day, giving the personnel an opportunity to mentor the students while treating patients.

Upon arriving at the clinics, students were paired with a nurse and taught to work various sites, including the optometry and dentistry stations.

“A few students even asked about joining the military, so it really was a win-win for both us,” McCafferty said. “After speaking with us, the students will probably go out and talk to 10 of their friends about opportunities within the military. It gives them another option in life to consider.”

In between shadowing the personnel from the National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve and Air Force Reserve, the students listened to talks by those involved about both the nursing field and nursing in the military.

Mission director Col. Jerry Arends said the opportunity to mentor students was important.

“It was a really great opportunity for them to learn about careers in nursing and the different fields that you can go into,” Arends said. “As far as a recruitment tool, it was outstanding. These young people are right at the point in their lives where they’re thinking about, ‘What am I going to do as a career?’ It was a great opportunity for us and for them.”

McCafferty said she hoped the students gained a lot from working in the clinics.

“We’re so grateful to have had them here,” she said. “They learned a lot and I know we did as well.”