The GROWTH (Guided Real World Orientation and Work Training at the Hospital) internship program has completed its second year at Lakeland. The program was established to emphasize mentorship, professional competency and training, and health care career exploration. It also aims to respond to the shortage of Black and Hispanic/Latinx associates in clinical and nonclinical staffing by creating a career pipeline between Benton Harbor area youth and Lakeland.

In addition to full-time work schedules, the program includes weekly listening sessions, capstone projects, professional development, presentations from numerous Lakeland departments, and additional support for success.

GROWTH interns have many perspectives and experiences on participating in the summer job program and exploring healthcare careers. Spotlighted this week is intern Celina Robinson who shares her experience:

“My first days at Spectrum Health Lakeland are my most memorable; I was greeted by a kind-hearted and passionate lady by the name of Shayne Taylor. I often think about the generosity she showed me and the other student I was paired with. Prior to meeting her, I thought this kind of care was rare, but as I began to meet the other staff members, I was relieved to find that they all had the same kindness in their hearts.

One of the first things I did was sit in on a community forum with Spectrum Health CEO Tina Freese Decker. This forum was helpful to me in understanding Spectrum Health’s plan for combatting COVID-19. I was highly impressed by the transparent and informative nature of everyone who spoke during the forum. The weeks following were filled with a plethora of new and exciting experiences. I got to make rounds in the CCU, became certified in CPR, successfully and skillfully intubated a medical dummy, witnessed a simulated vaginal birth (this was gross but still pretty cool), worked with a respiratory specialist, and much more.

My time at Lakeland allowed me to understand the hospital world and what it was like. I learned (and saw) more than I could have asked for as only an intern. It’s hard to believe that there could be internships out there that are cooler than this one was. After all the hardships in 2020, it was heartwarming to have been given such an incomparable opportunity. I’m especially grateful for the connections I was able to make as well as for the lessons I learned working with leaders and administrative staff. I’ll never forget the welcoming persona of every person I had the pleasure of working with and hope to be just as selfless as they were.”

Pictured: 2020 GROWTH interns receive hands-on training.