Some 50 students got an up-close and personal look at a career in healthcare this this summer through the VolunTeen Program at Cobb Hospital in Austell.
”The WellStar Cobb Hospital VolunTeen program is designed to provide students interested in healthcare careers access to the operations of a world-class hospital,” said Lori Campbell, Manager of Volunteer Services at WellStar Cobb Hospital. “VolunTeens provide hundreds of hours of valuable service to our patients, families and team members, while gaining valuable experience that may lead to a future career in healthcare.”
During their six weeks at the hospital, the students do a variety of jobs from assisting visitors, helping patients with discharge procedures, being an extra pair of hands for the staff in both clinical and non-clinical areas and even working in the lab.
Ric-Kell Holmes, a senior at Campbell High School, hopes to be a doctor and said that exposure to the hospital would look good on her college application. Meeting people is fun for me. She is helping nurses and bringing supplies to different parts of the hospital.
Monisha Kaleekal of Austell, now a WellStar nurse began her career being a VolunTeen at Cobb Hospital.
“I volunteered during my summer breaks in high school throughout various departments which enabled me to view various roles that each professional had in providing care,” she said. “The experience provided me with a sense of self-satisfaction and gratitude which facilitated in choosing my future profession as a Registered Nurse (RN).”
She is working on her Master’s to become a Nurse Practitioner.
“I will forever be grateful to the VolunTeen group that provided me with this opportunity and assisted in choosing my career path and goal,” she said.
Fawzaieh Osman, a senior at South Cobb High School, has plans to be a nurse. “I am learning how the hospital works and finding out what department I like working in. I like the labor and delivery and I am getting to interact with other people.”
Marie Ow, of Austell is a Junior at North Cobb High School in its magnet program. “I want to be a biomechanical engineer,” she said. She is working in the phlebotomy department and learning about the equipment. “I like helping other people and I like to help make people smile,” she said. “I’m happy that I’m helping them. I learned new things each time I come here.”
Zainab Molumo is a sophomore at South Cobb High, is in the magnet program, The Academy of Research and Medical Science.
“I want to pursue a career in medical science. It will give me a jump start on my career,” she said. “I like the atmosphere of a hospital.”
She is working in the women’s center doing filing and putting together packages for moms with new babies.
Fetimah Osman is a senior at South Cobb High School. “This is a step toward the healthcare field and is good experience working in a hospital.” She plans to major in nursing college. She has assisted in customer service, in the emergency room and in the cardiac unit, signing in and issuing wristbands and directing visitors to places hospital.
Kelly Adike is a sophomore at South Cobb High School from Powder Springs. “I plan to be a pediatrician,” she said I’m learning my way around the hospital.
Students apply in January of each year. The application process is located at www.wellstar.org Volunteers – Cobb. Students must be 15 years of age, have a 3.0 grade average and me able to commit to 6 weeks of volunteering for the summer. Students are selected based on their application, GPA, community involvement and interview.
The program began June 9.
Monisha Kaleekal of Austell, now a WellStar nurse began her career being a VolunTeen at Cobb Hospital.
“I volunteered during my summer breaks in high school throughout various departments which enabled me to view various roles that each professional had in providing care,” she said. “The experience provided me with a sense of self-satisfaction and gratitude which facilitated in choosing my future profession as a Registered Nurse (RN).”
She is working on her Master’s to become a Nurse Practitioner.
“I will forever be grateful to the VolunTeen group that provided me with this opportunity and assisted in choosing my career path and goal,” she said.
From the August 2015 issue of The Bright Side, Cobb County Georgia’s Newspaper covering Smyrna, Vinings, Mableton, Powder Springs and Austell, GA.
