High school students from Philipsburg and Drummond gathered at the Granite County Hospital to learn about health care from a variety of professionals, including some emergency responders.

The program is called REACH, which stands for Research and Explore Awesome Careers in Healthcare, and it was the county's first workshop of its kind to be set up for these students who learned from hospital staff members to perform a variety of tasks around the facility.

One of the most hands on exercises came in the emergency room where students were responsible for performing surgery on a dummy patient.

Coordinators say they hope to turn this into an annual event and extend it to younger kids as well.

Hospital administrator Amy Edwards says it would continue to benefit kids as today's event captured their interest.

"I think it's been fantastic. The kids have been having fun. I've had several staff members come up to me during the day and they're like, 'Wow, these kids really ask good questions. They're listening, they know what's going on and it's just amazing.' I've seen a lot of smiles and positive faces and it's just been a lot of fun," Edwards said.

The REACH Program was developed through South Central Montana's Area Health Education Center.

The next workshop will take place in Sheridan on May 12.