Pictured above left to right: Henry Jones, Kim Herrera, Faaris Mirza, Tony Kim, Srivishal Sudharsan, CEO Trevor Brand, Chase Borjon, Annapoorni Meiyappan, Anna Le, Micaela Winthrop, Kiki Ngo, Joyce Susvilla and Angelica Punzalan
Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center’s internship program gives aspiring healthcare professionals a firsthand look at hospital life
By Catlin Valles, Vitals contributor
On a recent morning at Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland, a group of aspiring healthcare professionals gathered in the Bayview Conference Room looking out over the communities they may one day serve.
Through Alta Bates Summit’s Pre-Med Internship Summer Program, students are getting an inside look at hospital life and the many career paths that support patient care.
The medical center welcomed the first cohort of students — 12 in total — for the program with an orientation, marking a growing effort across Sutter Health to create pathways into healthcare careers at a time when demand for skilled workers continues to rise.
Developed by the hospital’s Volunteer Department in collaboration with Alta Bates Summit’s Chief Medical Executive, Dr. Ursula Boynton, and Sutter’s Academic Partnership team led by Dr. Fozia Ferozali and Courtney Danielson, the internship gives students an immersive introduction to how care is delivered in a hospital setting.
“This program was designed to give students meaningful exposure to both the clinical and operational sides of healthcare,” said Alta Bates Summit CEO Trevor Brand. “We want them to see how everything works together and understand the important role each team member plays in patient care.”
Beyond the Classroom
Students in the program have committed to an eight-week experience this summer, dedicating a minimum of 10 hours each week to hands-on learning. During the eight-week experience, students will rotate through four departments, giving them the opportunity to shadow professionals across a range of roles while also supporting daily operations as volunteers.
That combination of observation and participation is intentional.
“Early exposure to a healthcare environment can make all the difference,” said Dr. Boynton. “When students can see firsthand how teams collaborate and how care is delivered, it helps them better understand where they might fit in the future.”
The experience provides a broader view of healthcare, highlighting not only physician roles but also nursing, ancillary services and the operational teams that help keep hospitals running.
A Strong Start
The program opened with an orientation that gave participants a chance to meet each other and connect with hospital leadership. Brand, Chief Operating Officer Ameet Nanda and Chief Nurse Executive Kevin Zeng welcomed the group and shared insights about Alta Bates Summit’s mission and the importance of teamwork in delivering high-quality care.
During lunch, the students also met their departmental leaders, an early step in building relationships that will support them throughout the summer.
“We were grateful for the warm welcome our participants received,” said Alta Bates Summit’s volunteer program specialist Joyce Susvilla. “Connecting with leaders and meeting their teams right away helped set a positive tone and gave them a sense of belonging from day one.”
The Next Generation of Caregivers
The Pre-Med Internship Summer Program is part of a broader effort to strengthen the healthcare workforce. Through structured opportunities for shadowing, mentorship and volunteer service, students can explore careers in healthcare, build confidence and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to care for patients and communities.
For many participants, this summer may shape the direction of their careers.
“We’re excited to invest in the next generation of healthcare professionals by providing meaningful mentorship and hands-on learning opportunities,” Dr. Boynton said. “Whether these students pursue careers in medicine, nursing, allied health or healthcare administration, we hope this experience helps build the confidence, skills and connections that will support their future success.”
Alta Bates Summit leaders see the program as an investment in the future workforce, including roles that are projected to experience national staffing shortages. Moving forward, they hope it will help support local communities by cultivating the next generation of caregivers to carry forward Sutter’s mission of compassionate, high-quality care.
