Pilot health care internship opens doors for future caregivers
March 2026
For two weeks, students from St. Mary’s School stepped inside Providence Medford for a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to care for a community. Each day offered a new, immersive experience that helped students understand health care in a more personal, human way.
“We ran a simulation with one of the mannequins that was like for a code. So me and one of my friends were compressors for CPR, someone was on airways, someone was on the AED machine,” says Maya, a junior at St. Mary’s School.
During her rotation, she practiced inserting IVs, cauterizing bananas, and reading telemetry monitors — experiences that helped her see how many unique roles contribute to compassionate, seamless patient care.
“I think it’s really important so people know it’s not just being a doctor or being a nurse … you can kind of pick what you want to do in your life and it can be specific to you and what you’re interested in,” Maya says.
Growing tomorrow’s workforce today
This pilot internship was designed to introduce students to health care careers early, giving them the confidence to explore what fits their interests and strengths.
Within just two weeks, students observed emergency services, diagnostic imaging, hospital administration, and more — a wide snapshot that reflects how many hands and hearts work together to deliver whole-person care.
“If we as a community can start impacting students with different career opportunities, hopefully we can grow our health care industry within southern Oregon,” says Savannah Bamber, workforce development manager at Providence Medford Medical Center.
Inspiring confidence and curiosity
The internship also helped students appreciate the teamwork, coordination and compassion woven into hospital life.
“Before this internship, I didn’t understand the many facets of what goes into a hospital and what each specialty entails. This experience is expanding my understanding,” says Nicolas, a senior at St. Mary’s School.
For Savannah, watching students discover those unexpected moments of joy has been rewarding.
“It has been so motivating and inspirational to see the impact this internship is having on these students,” she says. “It’s been really awesome to see students have a little spark when they practice different skillsets.”
Related
- Learn more about our services at Providence Medford Medical Center.
- See the story of local high school students supporting the sterile processing team at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.
- Share an Instagram reel of the Providence Medford Medical Center pilot internship program.