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Students celebrate during the Youth Summer Program graduation.
Rather than sleeping late this summer, Michael Allen, a sophomore at the John D. O’Bryant High School, spent the past seven weeks in the Division of Sleep Medicine shadowing doctors, organizing documents and visiting the Sleep Health Center.
“Thank you to Human Resources and my supervisor Christine Gordon for a summer well spent in sharpening my professional skills,” Allen said last month during the Youth Summer Program graduation. “What I’ve learned this summer will help me in my goal to finish high school strong.”
Allen was one of 94 high school students and 18 college students employed by the Youth Summer Program in one of 50 departments at BWH. A partnership with the Boston Private Industry Council, the program offers students the opportunity to work in entry-level positions throughout the hospital, including the Emergency Department, Channing Lab, Nursing and Radiology Nuclear Medicine. The program aims to prepare a new generation for careers in health care.
“As the demand for health care workers increases, one of the most effective ways to rapidly meet the workforce and skills shortages is to do all we can for our youth and community,” said BWH President Gary Gottlieb, MD, MBA, during the graduation. “Believing in this initiative will help us strengthen our BWH community and, in turn, will improve the delivery of health care for all of those who depend on us.”
Sasha Dubois, BSN, RN, knows the benefits of participating in a program like this one. Dubois graduated from BWH’s Student Success Jobs Program (SSJP) in 2002 when she was a senior at Boston Latin Academy.
“The summer I spent shadowing nurses, doctors and staff members at BWH helped fortify my decision to pursue a degree in nursing,” said Dubois, who recently was hired as a staff nurse at BWH.
The program wouldn’t be possible without the support of managers in all participating departments who ensured students had a good experience. “Thank you to all the managers who have made this program a success,” said Beverley Sobers, director of BWH Recruitment.
Sonia King-Green, administrative manager for Care Coordination, said the bond between managers and students continues after the program ends, with managers offering knowledge, references and encouragement in the future.
“When things do not go as planned, remember you can turn around and try again. Work hard and network with the people you have worked with to help you succeed and attain your goals,” she told the students.