Over the course of three days, Atherton’s Health Science pathway visited Waverly Hills Sanitorium. The Principles of Health Science classes experienced a full tour of the sanatorium, learning about the full history. Three groups of students toured the facility on November 10th, 13th, and 21st.
Waverly Hills was originally built in 1910, with a larger 5 story addition built in 1926. The facility housed tuberculosis patients for many years, but was eventually abandoned in 1962, because the facility was no longer needed.
The Principles of Health Science students toured the facility to learn more about tuberculosis and the impacts it had on the medical field. Meghan Harpole, Atherton’s Principles of Health Science teacher, was the first to take her students to Waverly Hills.
“This year, I had a lot of students, but I was like, “You know what? I’m going to rip the band-aid off. I’m just going to do it and we’re going to do this trip,” said Harpole.
Harpole wanted her students to have a new experience, and she wanted them to learn about the classes’ content in a real world setting.
“I mean, it’s a health care facility and it’s something different to do, and I feel like it’s got a lot of history and knowledge everywhere, from it being a sanatorium to learning about diseases and patient rights. That’s kind of like what principles of health science is, learning more about how to be a health care professional rather than like the physical. It’s more of the behind the scenes stuff,” said Harpole.
Amal Qasem, (12), attended Waverly on Monday, November 10th. Qasem enjoyed the experience, even though she was slightly scared.
“It was pretty crazy. I don’t really like spooky scary stuff, but it was really nice being there.”
Qasem stated how she learned a lot about the history of Waverly, and she enjoyed learning how medicine has advanced since then, and what Waverly was like when it was used as a tuberculosis hospital.
“ I learned a lot about how healthcare was back then. And she [tour guide] emphasized how it was a tuberculosis hospital, and how they didn’t really know how to treat it or what to do with it. I didn’t really know what it was like 100 years ago ,” said Qasem.
Overall, the trip gave students a rare opportunity to step beyond the classroom and connect their lessons to a pivotal moment in medical history. By walking the halls of Waverly Hills, they were able to see firsthand how far healthcare has come—and how much past challenges have shaped modern practices. For many, the experience was not only educational, but also unforgettable, offering a deeper appreciation for the progress and resilience within the medical field.
