Centro Hispano, Provo Utah

Interning at Centro Hispano was a fantastic experience. I had a wide variety of opportunities to stretch myself and learn new things. My duties included social media manager, HIV lab technician, public health event organizer, and I even helped write and apply for federal grants.

One of my original goals was, “To learn how to empathize with those who need help to improve their health, [and] also learn how to lead them to a better lifestyle.”  I’m happy to report that I accomplished these goals. As part of my internship I completed training to become an HIV prevention counselor and lab technician. Through this training I became certified by the state to test and counsel at-risk/HIV positive individuals. Some of our grants focus on the LGBQT community, a demographic that I had little experience with. Through this internship I was able to interact on a personal and medical level with these people. I learned how to empathize and lead them to a better, healthier lifestyle. I remember a specific time, while performing a test, when I had to calm down a patient who had a phobia of needles; I did this by telling all the lame jokes I knew! Though we may share some differences, our similarities certainly outweigh them. No other experience, including my mission, had allowed me to interact with these people in this manner.

At one point of my internship I was asked to run a booth at a statewide soccer tournament. Our booth, which focused on our anti-tobacco campaign, had a carnival game, which became very popular with the youth. Part of my task was to talk to and teach the children (and occasional adults) that were waiting to play the game.  This experience taught me to get on the level of the children, and teach to their understanding. I also had to learn new Spanish words so I could interact with the adults. This experience was completely unique!

As part of the social media campaign I created health related info graphics, updated the Centro Hispano website, and reached out to the Latino Community through the Instagram and Facebook pages. The purpose was to lead them to healthier lifestyles, and available resources like nutrition and exercise classes. Over time I learned what attracted attention and what did not. In the end my work reached thousands of Latinos in the Utah Valley community.

This was a successful summer. I stayed very busy, and accomplished many things that will benefit me in my life and career. I’m thankful for the opportunities that presented themselves, and the lessons I learned.

-Hayden  

Utah Valley Pediatrics - Internship

Over the course of the 2014 winter semester I have been allowed the great opportunity to shadow several pediatricians of Utah Valley Pediatrics.  Nearly each Friday I would go to their local office and observe what commonly happens in the day of a pediatrician.  This was an extremely valuable experience to learn different ways pediatricians interact with their patients as well as address the needs of them.  Often the patients would come in for what is called a well-child checkup.  These routine appointments are essential to aid in the continuing development of these children.  Occasionally patients would come in with illnesses or other concerns that really needed the expertise of the pediatrician to care for them.  Because this is a practice with several pediatricians, occasionally these pediatricians would be able to quickly ask a second opinion about a diagnosis and really aid getting the best care for the patient.  The pediatricians showed great interest in their patients and care for them.  It is this aspect that I really enjoyed and want to model in a future career.  To be able to aid and assist others in making their lives better would be great.  I also saw how busy doctors are even when their patients are late.  If doctors are not seeing patients they are often reading lab reports and doing various paperwork all related to assisting their patients. I am grateful for this opportunity to shadow at Utah Valley Pediatrics.

Intermountain Healthcare: UVRMC Patient Experience Administrative Internship--Kody

PATIENT EXPERIENCE INTERNSHIP

Over the course of Fall Semester 2013, it was my pleasure to be on the Patient Experience team at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, part of the Intermountain Healthcare system.  This internship allowed me the opportunity to interact daily with the administration of the hospital.  For a person interested in pursuing a future in Healthcare Administration, this internship is a great tool.

A typical day...well there is no typical day in administration, there is always something new!  I was assigned to work in the Emergency Department validating caregiver behavior and ensuring excellent patient care.  It was not uncommon to meet regularly with upper management in board meetings, weekly team huddles, and a quarterly Leadership Summit.  I learned how to understand the language of healthcare in current times, and gained a better understanding of its future.

Every week the interns met in a team meeting to listen to healthcare professionals discuss
ways to improve patient experience and overall better clinical outcomes.  In this meeting, the interns are also assigned to read and discuss a book or two that educates on an evidence based framework that reduces patient anxiety and improves clinical communication.

All-in-all I learned so much about the ins and outs of the administration of a hospital.  I have decided from this internship that healthcare administration is for me!