PRINCETON — One hundred thirty students from Reagan Middle School in Tiskilwa filled the halls of Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton on Thursday for Health Jam, a first-hand look at some of the many varied careers in the medical field.

Organizing the Health Jam event was Ancilla Parducci with the University of Illinois Extension in partnership with Perry Memorial Hospital, along with several area agencies including, in part, the Bureau/Putnam County Health Department, Main Street Dance Academy, Tiskilwa Fire Department, and the American Red Cross. The program was funded by Walmart.

Thursday’s learning stations at Perry Memorial Hospital included the radiology department, laboratory, infection control, pharmacy, physical/occupational therapy and medical surgery. Through meeting with hospital staff, the students learned about fine and gross motor skills, different blood types, medication safety, X-rays, the different organs in the body, germs, bacteria, and the importance of handwashing for 20 seconds with running water.