Rural Health Scholars Internship Program

The Rural Health Scholars Internship program seeks to identify, prepare, and retain minority and/or disadvantaged students from Bertie, Chowan, Gates, Hertford and Perquimans counties who have a demonstrated interest in a health career. This program provides rising high school seniors with a paid internship experience in the health care setting in their home communities.

Students complete a 10 week internship during the summer in their local community health care system. Students have an opportunity to shadow various health care professionals including, nurses, physicians, radiology technicians, health information management professionals and hospital administrators.  Students also spend time developing a health career action plan that guides them in pursuing a health career of their choice.

This formalized experience allows students to develop professional relationships with local practitioners and discover the various health care workforce needs and opportunities that are available in their area. This program strives to produce a pipeline of qualified students who will be dedicated to understanding the local health needs of their rural communities. It is anticipated that upon completion of a health related academic program these students will return to eastern North Carolina to practice their profession.

To be eligible for this program, students must:

• Be a rising senior in high school
• Have a strong interest in a health career
• Have taken at least three (3) sciences courses
• Be willing to participate in volunteer service during the senior year
• Have a strong interest in returning to eastern NC to practice as a health professional

This project received support from the Golden LEAF Foundation.