Internship Goes Virtual

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual internships were virtually unheard of. Everything changed, though, when students were suddenly forced to stay home, attend Zoom classes, and figure out ways to get the allimportant hands-on experience that employers value. For junior Michelle Redenz ’23, a nursing major from Amherst, this meant canceling her plans to study abroad in Jordan over the summer, and instead find a digital opportunity to learn about public health. “I would say it was a fair trade off,” said Michelle, who completed a six-week virtual internship with three public health organizations in Kisumu, Kenya. “After I grieved not being able to go abroad, I decided to maximize the situation.” Michelle’s internship began with the Kisumu County Department of Health. For two weeks, she did everything from analyzing COVID-19 data sets to participating in discussions with epidemiologists, doctors, and communications specialists. Her cohort then moved on to work with experts at one of Kenya’s largest teaching hospitals, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching & Referral Hospital (JOOTRH). This was invaluable, Michelle said, because she connected with nurse managers from several units throughout JOOTRH, all of whom were just as eager to ask questions of the students as they were to answer questions about health outcomes in Kisumu.

“We bonded over this experience The final two weeks of her internship were equally beneficial for her future career as a nurse, Michelle said. She that none of us expected to have.” focused on conducting research at KEMRI, the Kenya Medical Research Institute. Making connections between research and evidence-based nursing practice was indispensable, Michelle said, since it will give her a strong foundation for providing culturally sensitive care in the future. Elms prepared Michelle to think critically about the ways that culture and geography influence public health. Taking core classes in the liberal arts, for example, helped her think about health as a continuum, one that extends beyond clinical diagnosis. Having this framework going into her internship was key, Michelle said, since it put everything into context. Collaborating with peers made her internship experience that much sweeter, Michelle added. The group was spread across the globe, including eastern Massachusetts; Texas; Seattle; Delhi, India; and Amman, Jordan. “We bonded over this experience that none of us expected to have. The group brought this super diverse conversation to the table every single day.” While a virtual internship can’t replicate the experience of physically being in a new country, it served as an example of how nursing majors can take their education abroad. “Even if you’re in your hometown, you can still experience global perspectives, and apply them in the future.” 

Biology Student’s Path is Firmly Paved Out

Majoring in Biology and Biotechnology, Victor Ivancev ’23 has a very busy schedule. While most of his classmates are just beginning to think about life after college, Victor’s path is firmly paved out: he’s already been accepted into Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. And his prion protein research at Elms College will serve as a solid foundation for research he will conduct in medical school. “I had many different colleges to choose from, but none provided me with the opportunities that Elms has,” Victor said. 

Reflecting on the “New Normal”

On a beautiful day in June, Elms College hosted its fourth annual Executive Leadership Breakfast with Baystate Health President and CEO, Mark A. Keroack, MD, MPH, giving the keynote address, “The New Normal: What Will It Be and When Will It Be Here.” The event was held outside on the Keating Quad with adherence to ElmsSafe plan protocols for the limited number of in-person attendees and was also streamed live on social media for the online audience. During his address, Dr. Keroack hoped that area residents would have a stronger appreciation of connecting with one another. “The virus was trying to teach us a great lesson, if only we learn it. The health and wellbeing of each of us is connected to the health and wellbeing of all of us.” The following sponsors contributed to make the breakfast possible: Westfield Bank, Chicopee Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, O’Connell Oil Associates, Baystate Health, Big Y Supermarkets, Marois Construction, Health New England, Freedom Credit Union, The O’Connell Companies, Aramark, Collins Electric Company, Fuss & O’Neill, Discount Office Furniture, Polish National Credit Union, and Teddy Bear Pools & Spas. 