2 minute read
Internships
Half-way through spring semester, our world changed — for those pursuing summer internships, 2020 provided unpredicted insights into the foundation of how healthcare organizations work during a sustained crisis.
Kate Trankina at Northwest Medical Center, Winfield
WINFIELD
MSHA Class 55 Interns, Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM
Kevin Sommers & Mark Lainoff helping with COVID testing, Birmingham
Joseph Schonacher at Whitfield Regional Hospital, Demopolis
DEMOPOLIS
ALEXANDER CITY
CAMDEN
Demeisha Crowley at Regional Medical Center of Central Alabama, Greenville
GREENVILLE
Sarah Newbern at J. Paul Jones Hospital, Camden Sarah Newbern’s summer cottage in Camden
In this time of change and uncertainty, it was to learn and experience healthcare from the perspective of a small town and rural hospital setting, and to contribute in a valuable way to the organization's business development and marketing efforts.
— Demeisha Crowley, MSHA Class 55, Regional Medical Center of Central Alabama, Greenville, AL
I had two weeks to find a different opportunity — serving as an administrative intern for projects that span from Women's Health, Telehealth, Informatics, and Primary Care Services. This experience showed me that the greatest opportunities for self-development are often unexpected.
— Gillian Mangan, MSHA Class 55, VA Healthcare System, Birmingham, AL
While I had envisioned my summer in a big city working at an Academic Medical Center, I could not be more grateful for this opportunity. My experience at J. Paul Jones Hospital has given me a whole new perspective on rural health and has reinforced my passion for bringing accessible healthcare to all communities.
— Sarah Newbern, MSHA Class 55, J. Paul Jones Hospital, Camden, AL
I have a new appreciation and understanding of the struggles, triumphs, and huge impact rural hospitals have on their communities. I learned the proper balance between financial sustainability, service development, and patientcentered care and it has been an absolutely amazing experience.
— Joseph A. Schonacher, MSHA Class 55, Whitfield Regional Hospital, Demopolis, AL
The experience of working in a small, rural hospital has been incredibly rewarding. The opportunity to observe and contribute in areas that scaled the full range of the hospital provided invaluable insight into the day-to-day operations of a hospital. This internship allowed me to get hands-on and in-person experience in a time that I would otherwise have spent at home or working virtually.
