EMIM High School Interns Step into Healthcare

This summer, Erie Niagara AHEC, in partnership with Jericho Road Community Health Center, hosted the fourth annual Empowering and Mentoring in Medicine Summer Internship Program! During this 6-week immersive program, 11 high school students explored different healthcare careers, concepts, experiences, and education from various organizations and institutions across Buffalo. They participated in hands-on clinical and community-based activities and concluded their journey with a graduation ceremony in the company of family, mentors, and community partners.

The goal of Empowering and Mentoring in Medicine (EMIM) is to help students see themselves in high-level healthcare careers and provide them opportunities to grow their networks. Our program uses hands-on skills, coupled with community-based presentations, to highlight the overlap between community health and individual health, creating a holistic approach to healthcare for our interns. We especially highlight how mental health influences physical health, at both individual and community levels, by partnering with the New York State Office of Mental Health: Western Field Office’s ReCAST program to bring in mental health practitioners to discuss this connection. Keep reading to learn more about our action-packed summer!

On July 7, our students kick-started the program by participating in workshops and presentations about career opportunities, health literacy, mental health and wellbeing, conflict resolution, and other hands-on health interventions. Early in the program, students were paired with medical student mentors from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo who helped guide their focus and explore interests in different areas of health, such as family medicine, psychiatry, dermatology, cariology, and more. Students also worked alongside current medical, physician assistant, occupational therapy, and nursing students from the Jacobs School of Medicine, Canisius University, and D’Youville University to practice hands-on skills in anatomy and physiology, blood draws, suturing, punch biopsies, CPR, intubations, taking blood pressure, listening to the heart, ultrasounds, pulmonary function tests, splinting broken limbs, and patient communication.

Additionally, our interns volunteered at Harvest House to learn about the importance of giving back to their community. They learned about the organization's rich history and vital roots in the Lower East Side and contributed to their Baby and Children’s Ministry and Food as Medicine Program. Students learned about how closely nutrition, healthcare access, and well-being are connected by learning about social determinants of health. They also participated in a week-long mental health series where they looked at mental health case studies and learned about self-care, conflict resolution, social media and mental health, and coping strategies. Our presenters emphasized the importance of downtime and rest in healthcare professions to help our students succeed and prevent burnout. To supplement the series, the NYS Office of Mental Health: ReCAST Program generously provided access to yoga and Zumba classes offered by Every Body Plus to give students another self-care strategy in their toolbox.

In the third week, our interns visited the University at Buffalo South Campus to explore the history of medical tools, the complexities of dentistry, and the breadth of the public health field. Thank you to Dr. Keith Mages, Dr. Ellyce Clonan, Dr. Saramona Przybyla, Dr. Tegan Mansouri, and Lisa Neff for your excellent presentations!

During the last three weeks of the program, students rotated through Jericho Road clinics, shadowing various healthcare professionals who work with patients at different levels. They observed medical assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and doctors as they saw patients daily, gaining insight into the importance and skills needed for patient communication, counseling, and accurate visit documentation. Interns also practiced hands-on skills, such as taking patient vitals and assisting with SOAP forms.

To conclude the program, our students were honored at a graduation ceremony where they delivered final presentations about their experiences, interests, and goals for their future healthcare careers. During the event, each student was white-coated by a family member to demonstrate their unwavering support for their student’s ambitions to enter the healthcare field. The white coat is a symbol of integrity, professionalism, and compassionate care in medicine. Students received their coats to reinforce their commitment to their service in their future practice. Thank you to U.S. Congressman Tim Kennedy for providing each student with a Congressional Certificate and to NYS Senator Sean Ryan for both providing certificates and joining us at the ceremony to share remarks. We truly appreciate their continued support of our students and this program.

We would like to thank our funders and community partners for their gracious support throughout the program!

• Jericho Road: Dr. Myron Glick, Kayla Gleason, Catherine Grainge, Charley Fisher, Immanuel Day, Dr. Allana Krolikowski, and Jessie Mossop

• The Chapel

• New York State Office of Mental Health: Western Field Office

• University at Buffalo: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Professions, and School of Dental Medicine

• D’Youville University

• Jacobs Institute

• Canisius University

• Rita Anderson, LMFT

• Isaiah Gary with Catholic Health

• Kelly Dumas, LCSW

• Every Body Plus

• Harvest House

• Gerard Place

To Salma, Hpu, Nayeli, Mang, Sara, Aaliyah, Moe Lay, Zara, Kaitlyn, Sydney, and Zakaria: We are beyond proud of you and your accomplishments thus far. We can’t wait to see you flourish in your next steps!

Hear from our interns as they reflect on their experiences in the program!

I enjoyed interacting with patients as well as making new friends.

I loved everything, but I especially loved shadowing. I learned how each provider has their own specialties, but the most valuable part was how my dream to be an NP was finalized.

My interest in surgery deepened as I felt a sense of fulfillment while carrying out hands-on activities like suturing, CPR, etc.

I developed crucial communication and understanding skills. I also mastered taking patients’ vitals!

The most valuable thing I experienced during the internship was seeing the doctors and nurses I was shadowing treating their patients with care regardless of what communities they come from.

My healthcare career interest changed because of this program. I originally wanted to be an Ultrasound Technician, but after [working through some of the program activities], I became interested in Dentistry.

This program made me want to join pre-med student programs that colleges may offer to help students get into medical school.

Even if I don’t go and pursue a job in the medical field later on the things I learned could help someone else or myself just knowing these things.

I think all the instructors were very nice and willing to help us which allowed me to understand things.

I am taking away how to speak up for things, to ask questions, to not be shy about things, and start to get confident and outgoing.

I liked the student-led presentations. I got to see the others’ perspective on the medical careers they’re interested in.

[I’m taking away] Crucial knowledgeable insights about mental health that I can talk about at home or with my friends in school who are facing such issues.

I learned how to better care for myself and others and that I can’t expect to help and give to other if I can’t do that for myself.

The PA students were so helpful and they really made me feel welcome at the [university]. They have a very like warming heart and they made me feel very loved and appreciated even though it was only the first day.

I learned more about paying attention to your patients body language and mood to make sure that have a better appointment that way.

I was able to go into the room speak to the patients on my own before [the provider] came in. I learned something different from each patient and she made me feel comfortable enough to ask questions and I received really good, thorough explanations that helped me further understand. Additionally, [the provider I shadowed] is a PA, the career I hope to go into, so I enjoyed seeing and experiencing providing care to patients in that role.