Navy Medicine's education and training director wrapped up Navy Medicine's Navy Week events in Kansas City, Aug. 21, with a visit to nearby Lee's Summit Technology Academy (STA).

Rear Adm. Rebecca McCormick-Boyle, commander of Navy Medicine Education and Training Command (NMETC) and Navy Nurse Corps director, spoke to approximately 200 high school teachers and students during the event.

Summit Technology Academy is a shared campus, praised as a national model by President Barrack Obama, where juniors and seniors spend half a day as an extension of their high school. Students seriously interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related careers apply to attend the academy.

McCormick-Boyle explained the importance of Navy and Navy Medicine's forward presence. She also discussed the importance of Sailors with a STEM background.

"The United States Navy says we are forward, we are engaged, and we are ready, anytime, anywhere," she said. "Navy Medicine does that as well. Navy Medicine is where it matters, when it matters."

It was a message that resonated with 17-year-old Savannah Pottinger, a senior studying nursing.

"I think it would be really cool to go out into the world and help my country," Savannah said. "It was really cool to see a woman in her position as a nurse in the Navy. That is something that I would definitely consider doing."

The admiral also explained how Navy Medicine supports the Navy mission, by caring for Sailors and Marines.

"Navy Medicine is there to support and take care of the Navy; the Sailors; the fleet," she said. "We are also there to take care of the United States Marine Corps. We take care of people on, above and below the sea, and on the battlefield."

The presentation opened with two brief videos. One showed an aircraft carrier passing with the message that 70 percent of the world is covered by water, 80 percent of the population lives near the water, 90 percent of the world's trade travels by water, and the Navy is on watch 100 percent of the time. The second video highlighted three young women serving as crew members on an anti-submarine warfare helicopter.

"I really liked the first video with the women," said 17-year-old Alexis Hayes, a senior studying engineering. "They can go out and get manicures and go shopping. But once they are on the job, they can do everything the men can do."

McCormick-Boyle explained primary focus areas of Navy Medicine: expeditionary medicine, garrison care, wounded warrior care, biomedical research, education and training, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response. She also pointed out how a STEM background applies to those specific areas, something many students said resonated with them.

"I could see the gears moving in their heads, thinking, 'Wow. I didn't realize the Navy had so much to offer in STEM careers,'" said Paul Rutherford, an engineering instructor and former Navy aviation maintenance officer. "The admiral encouraged the kids to consider the Navy as a very viable option after high school or college. She had the students' attention."

Senior Ryan Skahan was one of those captured by the presentation. The 17-year-old nursing student said he was both intrigued and impressed.

"I came in here not knowing what to expect," Ryan added. "My brother was in the Army, so I never knew anything about the Navy. There are so many options and so many ways to help people. I had never considered the Navy or Navy nursing, but after seeing her presentation, it's something I'll look into."

For more news from Navy Medicine Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/