AHEC Geriatric Education Scholars Internship Program to be Offered this Summer The AHEC Geriatric Education Scholars (AGES) program, sponsored by the Northern Area Health Education Center (NAHEC), will offer internships for high school students in the Summer of 2006. AGES offers a way for youth considering health careers to learn – both through experience and instruction – about the care of seniors and geriatric health. Educational geriatric placements will be at local senior living and care facilities. Interns will have the opportunity to a) work with health care providers in a health care delivery or senior living setting (e.g. physical therapy, residential activities), b) interact with seniors and learn more about their needs and c) attend informational presentations on geriatric health and health careers topics. Geriatric health care is and will continue to be an important, viable employment sector for health professionals. The needs of seniors and the entities (e.g. senior living facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, rural health clinics, etc.) that serve them in the Upper Peninsula, in Michigan and nationwide continue to grow. Youth who are looking at their career options or already putting plans into effect for training or additional study in the health professions (e.g. nursing, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, allied health professions, etc.) benefit and grow by completing an internship in a “real world” setting. Interns (selected applicants) will receive from NAHEC a stipend for 20 hours minimum and 30 hours maximum hours (including NAHEC-sponsored lectures on topics related to geriatric health) per week for a maximum of 6 weeks. Students will also receive a travel allowance. Upon successful completion of the program, interns will receive a certificate of merit and a recommendation. All applicants must either a) be entering their senior year or b) have just completed their senior year of a high school situated in Michigan's Marquette or Alger Counties as of June 26, 2006. NAHEC expects to place 5-6 students in internships settings during Summer 2006. Internship slots will be awarded based on a review of completed written application forms and attachments, applicant interviews, receipt of a letter from the prospective intern’s high school (verifying 11th/12th grade completion), a 2.75 or higher GPA and successful completion of a criminal background check. The program will start on June 26, 2006 with an orientation program at the NAHEC offices. Site placement experiences begin on June 27. Students and their site placement sponsors will determine whether they will meet during the week of July 3. The program will conclude by August 12, 2006. |