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In her capacity as director of Volunteer and Community Access Services, Kris DeGraw Danna wanted to offer a different approach to community service and school-to-career programs for students 16-20 years old. The end result is Y-KNOT?, (Youth Knowledge and Networking through Occupational Training), a new program that brings together high school, pre-medical students and hospital professionals to combine career exploration, cross-generational mentoring, and volunteering.
“Unlike more traditional mentoring, the YKNOT? program brings students into the hospital to work with pre-medical students and professionals,” explained Danna. Students gain exposure to a variety of healthcare careers, in addition to their mentor’s experiences beginning careers in medicine.
According to Matt Sigakis (pictured above left) and Michael Leeson, the program is off to a strong start. They are among the dozen participants in Y-KNOT? who meet one to two times a week to perform volunteer work together such as helping discharge patients or assisting patients’ families.
“Volunteering has always been a part of my life,” said Sigakis, who is applying to medical school and serves as a program mentor. “Y-KNOT? is a fabulous opportunity to mentor. It is truly gratifying to watch my mentee grow personally and professionally.”
“It’s nice to meet new people and find out what they’ve been through,” said Leeson, a 17-year-old mentee in the Y-KNOT? program. “I’ve been exposed to a lot of different aspects of the hospital already,” said Leeson.
“Y-KNOT? is a completely innovative program,” said Danna. “I truly feel that this institution, known for its innovative and cutting-edge care and research, will serve a supportive venue for this program so that it may flourish and set the bar for hospitals around the country.”
For information about the Y-KNOT? program, call 617-732-5998.