BY SARAH ROSE

It looks like a hotel room, but it’s not. In the room, there are wires used to monitor the brain, breathing and body limbs.

This place is a lab that is part of the Sleep Disorders Center inside of TJ Samson Hospital. It is used to diagnose sleep problems, like sleep apnea and narcolepsy.

Nathan Tetzlaff, a sophomore at Barren County High School, was in a similar lab room on Tuesday. He was accompanied by Amy Thornbury, an advanced practice registered nurse.

For part of the day, Tetzlaff shadowed Thornbury. He said enjoyed the experience.

“I want to be a sleep doctor,” Tetzlaff said.

Thornbury explained why she liked working in the Sleep Disorders Center to Tetzlaff.

“There are people who feel like they are brand new people [after we diagnose them],” Thornbury said.

“Some don’t realize the toll that sleep deprivation takes on their bodies. There are people who fall asleep while driving, then after they come here, they can stay awake all day.”

She also told him how important sleep is for teenagers.

“Growth hormones are produced while sleeping,” Thornbury said, “Make sure you get enough sleep. Most children get too much screen time and too much caffeine.”

Tuesday was the first day that students in the new biomedical 2 class shadowed. Students in the biomedical program take one biomedical class each year of high school. Freshmen take Principles of Biomedical Science, Human Body Systems is taken by sophomores, juniors take Medical Interventions and Biomedical Innovations is taken by seniors.

Robert Bauer, biomedical teacher at BCHS, said shadowing is something that can’t be reproduced in class.

“The students have an opportunity to see firsthand what’s going on in [the field(s) they are interested in],” Bauer said.

The shadowing is now part of the mentoring program that is included in the biomedical program.

“The students start making professional connections,” Bauer said, “They have somebody they are comfortable contacting. They have someone who will help them pursue what they are interested it. Students have free reign of who to pick as a mentor.”

Other students in the class shadowed a pediatrician, physical therapist, general surgeon, veterinarian and cardiovascular surgeon.