Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center's Innovative Student Ambassador Program Begins Fourth Year

When Brian Morgan of Joliet, begins his biology studies this fall at Lewis University, he will have an advantage not many others his age can claim – four summers of hands-on hospital work experience.  Morgan was one of the inaugural members of the Student Ambassadors summer volunteer program when Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center (PSJMC) launched the innovative initiative with area high schools in 2006.  Now in his fourth and final summer with the program, Brian knows this real-life experience has helped him hone in on his career path.

Twenty-five area high school students recently began their summer as members of the Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center Student Ambassador program, an innovative seven-week summer initiative for students who are interested in pursuing a career in health care. The program is now in its fourth year.

“I’ve had the opportunity to learn first-hand about medical careers in surgical sterile processing, therapy services, materials management and pharmacy,” said Morgan, who is a 2009 graduate of Providence Catholic High School.  "Just by being in the hospital environment all four summers, I now have an insight and advantage over my peers who are also thinking of health care careers.”

The PSJMC Student Ambassador program is a seven-week summer program for 25 high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in health care.  While the program is open to all area students, the requirements are rigorous.  Applicants must have achieved a 3.6 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, obtained a recommendation from their school counselor in addition to two letters of professional or academic recommendation, and participated in an interview. 

Each Ambassador accepted into the program volunteers one day per week on an assigned clinical unit for six hours. Over the last four years, participating Medical Center departments have included pharmacy, emergency department, material management, information services, imaging, therapy services, various nursing units, off-site therapy clinics, the Wound Care Center, and many others.  In addition to the weekly volunteering, Ambassadors also participate in educational workshops, providing them a tour of behind-the-scenes areas.

"This program is truly unique and based on our student's needs.  We do our best to place them in their desired field and plan additional enrichment tours to view other behind-the-scenes areas like the laboratory and the operating rooms," said Shannon Morgan-Jermal, manager of Volunteer Services at PSJMC and coordinator of the Student Ambassador summer volunteer program.  “This program has also proven in the past to be a win-win for students and the Medical Center. Our staff has the opportunity to inspire and educate the healthcare providers of the future, teaching them how important the care and compassion we provide for our patients is. In turn, the students have the opportunity to learn about healthcare careers from experienced employees.”

The program has a high retention rate for returning students, which enhances competition for remaining slots.  This year 11 students returned leaving 14 spots for new students.  Returning Ambassadors have their top pick of assignment areas. This year’s students represent eight area high schools, including Joliet Catholic Academy, Joliet West, Lincoln-Way Central, Lincoln-Way East, Minooka Community, Nequea Valley, Plainfield North and Providence Catholic.

At the conclusion of the program in August, the Medical Center will host a reception for the students, their parents and participating departments. Ambassadors will receive certificates of completion, as well as a college letter of recommendation from Jeff Brickman, FACHE, System Senior Vice President and CEO of PSJMC.
In addition, the Medical Center has begun to track successes of their former Ambassadors.  The inaugural group of students from the summer of 2006 will be graduating college next year.  Follow-up letters will be sent to those students’ homes in an effort to help program coordinators to learn what the former Ambassadors are studying and about their plans after graduation. 

Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center serves Will County and the southwest Chicago suburbs, providing the area’s only 24/7 neurosciences program, advanced cardiac care with a world-class open heart program, family-centered obstetrics, a Level II Emergency Department that has been nationally recognized for eliminating wait, and leading-edge procedures such as Biplane and Trilogy.