WVU MEDICINE
WVU Hospitals welcomed its first class of MedEd program interns Thursday in a signing day event.
The new program provides students with skills, hands-on training and innovative mentoring experiences through community partnerships for career opportunities in West Virginia healthcare.
The program is a collaboration between WVU Medicine, the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, the West Virginia Department of Education, the Education Alliance, Monongalia Technical Education Center and Monongalia County Schools.
“We are thrilled to welcome the first class of MedEd interns to WVU Hospitals,” Colleen Sybert, WVU Hospitals vice president of Human Resources, said. “This program is a great opportunity for students to experience entry-level roles in the hospital and learn how they can jumpstart their careers in the healthcare. These are positions that students can enter with a full complement of WVU Medicine benefits directly upon high school graduation.”
The two-year program uses a work-based learning approach placing students in the workplace during the school day and includes a curriculum that combines technical and professional skills.
The MedEd program is open to incoming juniors at University and Morgantown high schools. Students can earn career and technical education credits towards the Therapeutic Services pathway, can participate in paid internships during their senior year and may be offered jobs at WVU Medicine upon graduation.
“The addition of the MedEd Program is one more excellent example of the many pathway options offered through Monongalia County Schools. We look forward to students receiving the hands-on training and work experience that will afford them paid internships and full-time employment opportunities in healthcare upon graduation,” Eddie Campbell, Monongalia County Schools superintendent, said. “Our collaboration with WVU Medicine represents a statewide commitment to empowering students to achieve their goals and fulfill their potential.”
The program is one of several initiatives WVU Medicine is undertaking to address the state’s growing need for healthcare professionals.
“As the state’s largest healthcare provider, we are committed to not only providing state-of-the-art care, but also fostering the next generation of healthcare providers,” Michael Grace, WVU Hospitals president, said. “We believe that this carefully selected class of interns possesses the potential to become leaders in their field. We are proud to have the privilege to help support them on their journey.”
For more information on the MedEd program, visit WVUMedicine.org/Info/MedEd.
