The medical field can be demanding, but Monday, professionals at Faxton-St. Luke's Health Center took some time out of their busy schedule to spend it with kids. As our Sarah Hagen explains, the hospital is hosting a unique Medi-Camp to try and ignite an interest and inspire the next generation to become a part of the industry's future.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

UTICA, N.Y. -- It's a time of change for the medical industry all across the United States.

Clinical Education Director Colette Wilk said, "A lot of changes with health care reform. I know it makes people nervous. They are questioning whether health care providers will be needed. But they absolutely will be needed."

And in Utica, the Faxton-St. Luke's Health Center is making that message heard.

LifeNet of NY Medical Base Supervisor Bill Stubba said, "They can look at a text book or watch TV, but to see it hands on and know it's in their community and available to them I think is priceless."

Children ranging in age from 10 to 16 are part of a two day medical camp where they experience things like the emergency helicopter and ambulance first hand to see if maybe it sparks an interest.

When asked why are she was interested in medicine, participant Olivia Millson said, "Because I think it's cool to help. You get a chance to help in life and death situations."

Experts say the number of medical professionals is dwindling. And the hope is that camps like this one will inspire a new generation to pursue these careers and take on this industry.

Wilk said, "The number of nurses is declining because of their age. A lot of them are getting close to retirement in the next ten years, so it is important that we replace these nurses."

And the same goes for other health care professionals across the board.

But not everyone at this "medi-camp" is eagerly volunteering to take their place.

Participant Andre Boiko said, "I might become a doctor. I don't know."

When asked what the other career options were, Boiko responded, "I am thinking I want to become a soccer player."

Boiko added that if his career in soccer doesn't work out, he'll fall back on plan "b" and become a doctor.