CMS ‘Medical Detectives’ Observe Hands-On Screening Procedures, Learn Healthy Habits
Mass General Brigham Community Care staff & van visit Medical Detectives class
SALEM (Jan. 14, 2026) – The Medical Assisting program, one of nine Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways offered at Salem High School, could see a significant influx of students in the coming years.
It’s not an official “pathway” at Salem Public Schools, but the seventh and eighth grade Medical Detectives class, taught by Collins Middle School STEM educator Greg Beach, could be the reason.
On Friday, Jan. 9, CMS Medical Detectives scholars received a visit from Mass General Brigham Salem Hospital Community Care staff to learn about simple methods and procedures to identify conditions and discuss ways of improving one’s health.
Mr. Beach’s classroom was separated into four stations:
- Blood Pressure Screening: Students learned about and used automated blood pressure machines to take their readings and practice readings on one another, and later discussed ways to improve blood pressure through lifestyle changes and medication.
- A1C Glucose Screening: CMS scholars learned about the dangers of diabetes and observed staff administer at-home glucometers to test sugar levels. Following, MGB Salem Hospital guests discussed ways to improve sugar levels through lifestyle changes and medication.
- MGB Community Care Van Tour/Social Determinants of Health: Students enjoyed tours of the MGB Community Care Van, which was originally deployed during the Covid-19 epidemic. The van provides mobile medical services such as screenings and interventions for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and substance use disorders among other services. Additionally, students learned about different screening tools and discussed how categories affect a person’s health.
- Narcan: MGB guests demonstrated the use of Narcan to revive a person from an overdose.
“So much about what we’re doing is connected with the real world, job skills, practical skills,” said Mr. Beach. “The Community Care Van is something they see around the community. This is to provide what’s available for them career wise.”
Friday’s Medical Detectives unit embodies the District’s Strategic Plan, particularly the core value of elevating learning, as well as CMS’s approach to reimagining middle school learning involving community partnerships, field trips and guest visits.
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts, a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens through which we view our work. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff unconditionally serves each of our 4,000 students across 11 schools regardless of ability or language.
