WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Novant Health celebrated 21 graduates who completed Bridges to Healthcare phase I, a 16-week (160 hour) paid internship program aimed at supporting the education of high school students by providing early exposure to healthcare careers. Bridges to Healthcare phase I allows participants to gain valuable real-world experience and mentorship. Program rotations include clinical and non-clinical areas as well as training on college and career readiness and financial literacy.
Bridges to Healthcare phase I is offered in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, Rowan County Schools and Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools. Eleven of the graduates were from Winston-Salem (John F. Kennedy High School, Parkland High School and RJ Reynolds High School) and 10 were from Charlotte (Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences and Garinger High School).
In addition to receiving Basic Life Support CPR, Working Smart-Soft Skills Training and EVERFI Financial Literacy certifications, interns rotated through a multitude of departments including radiology, rehab, respiratory services, Novant Health Medical Group, and the Novant Health people & culture solutions center. They also completed many professional development modules and participated in mock interviews with the Novant Health Talent Acquisition team. In partnership with GWS Inc in Winston-Salem and Worthy Initiatives in Charlotte, students also receive work ready credentialing and certification.
Post graduation, several students have applied to part-time positions at Novant Health, including Parkland High School graduate Elise Frazier who has been hired as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center. “I never imagined as a high school senior that I'd be able to observe so many departments within a health system as I did with Bridges to Healthcare. I have always wanted to be a neonatal intensive nurse and being in this program reaffirmed my passion. I enjoyed seeing the scope of work of the RNs and am thankful to have the experience I received with Bridges to Healthcare. I’m excited for my career ahead as a nurse and appreciate the support I’ve already received.” Frazier is currently attending UNC-Greensboro.
Graduate Ana Velasco-Cruz was part of Bridges to Healthcare’s Fall 2022 phase I cohort. She is currently enrolled in the Bridges to Healthcare phase II program, attending Central Piedmont Community College with the goal of becoming a psychiatrist.
Bridges to Healthcare phase II is an educational assistance program that provides full tuition, books and fees to students pursuing an associate degree, certification or diploma in a health care-related field at a participating North Carolina community college.
“Novant Health’s Bridges to Healthcare program allowed me to interact with people I may have never had the opportunity to meet,” Velasco-Cruz said. “I completed a few courses at Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences and thought I’d pursue a career of being a neonatal intensive care unit nurse or a physician. But it was a visit with a Novant Health psychiatrist and conversation about their path and his role that led me to decide to become a psychiatrist. I know there are challenges ahead, but I am excited for the opportunity to influence lives as a psychiatrist.”
“We congratulate and celebrate this year’s Bridges to Healthcare graduates for their contributions to Novant Health and for beginning their career journeys early,” said Kalin N. Griffin Bostwick, vice president, inclusion & pipeline programs, Novant Health. “Programs such as this allow the next generation of talent to experience the vast opportunities available to them, giving them the skills necessary to have successful careers of their choosing. Bridges to Healthcare is an excellent way to promote economic mobility while building a pipeline for future health care team members.”
Bridges to Healthcare was created in honor of the late Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown, a former family physician and healthcare leader at Novant Health, who was dedicated to strengthening our communities. Since launching Bridges to Healthcare in January 2022, a total of 103 students have participated in the program. Bridges to Healthcare is made possible thanks to a generous $1.4 million grant from the John M. Belk Endowment to Novant Health Foundation.
“I am thrilled for Novant Health's Bridges to Healthcare graduates,” said Ann Caulkins, senior vice president, Novant Health, and president, Novant Health Foundation. “They've been hard at work performing daily activities and rotations in multiple clinical and non-clinical departments, learning valuable skills along the way. It's been a pleasure helping them refine their professional goals by exposing them to the wide world of health care professions. We can't wait to see what you achieve.”
View graduation photos: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/UDN60gu84B
For more information about Bridges to Healthcare, email paidprograms@novanthealth.or or visit NovantHealth.org/Healthy-Headlines/Health-Care-Internship-Program-Helps-Students-Get-A-Leg-Up.
Criteria and application information:
- Bridges to Healthcare Phase 1: Applications are being accepted for 2023 fall cohorts. Student internship program designed to provide paid internships to 10 high school students in both clinical and non-clinical careers. Students must attend a Title I school (please check with your school to find out if it is Title I) and have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA.
- Bridges to Healthcare Phase II: Educational assistance program that provides full tuition, books and fees to students pursuing an associate degree, certification or diploma in a health care-related field at a participating North Carolina community college. The full list of requirements and application may be found here.
Subscribe