Page 28 - St. John's Healthcare Foundation FY17 Annual Report

Health Scholar Program

Human connections – as people, we need it. As patients, even more so. St. John’s Hospitals Health Scholar Program is affiliated with UCLA Fielding You are investing in the future of health professionals
Health Scholars offer that special human connection that enhances nurses School of Public Health. Upon graduating from the program, students are
and doctors already compassionate care for patients. Health Scholars are awarded a Certificate in Patient Experience and Pre-licensed Clinical Care.
volunteers, pre-health professional students who want hands-on experience in a
hospital setting. Health Scholars are members of the patient-care team and are Human Connections through a COPE Health Scholars perspective
able to observe medical procedures and hospital rounds, as well as experience “This could be my grandfather, or my dad,” I thought. I instantly connected with this
the culture of a hospital setting while supporting medical staff with daily patient- gentleman who at 100 years old showed the spirit of a much younger man. This was
You are investing in the future care activities. This clinically-focused experience helps students develop a deep his first day in the hospital, and he was upset that he was here. I placed the cards and
understanding of the patient experience, and healthcare professions, firsthand.
pictures that he wanted to be surrounded with, and connected a pencil holder and pad
to his bedside table so that he could reach them comfortably. I helped him with his meal
You are investing in the future of health professionals
Health Scholars come into the program set on a particular career path, and and then he told me stories of early Camarillo and World War II. He calmed when I
may change their goals because of their experience in the program. Some sat with him. “Thank you for listening, sweetheart,” he said while I held his hand.
of our students realize that what they are inclined towards is interacting with My favorite thing to do as a Health Scholar, is to help patients eat. It is such an
of health professionals patients, while others find they are more interested in diagnosis or finding intimate connection. You are helping a patient to do something that they can’t do

solutions to problems, and yet others learn that their interest lies in systems
on their own. Most people who come to the hospital feel so vulnerable. If I can take
rather than direct patient care. time out of my day to give them all my attention for a simple task – like getting
nourishment – I know that I have encouraged them a bit.
Osanna Tosunyan, COPE Health Scholars Program Manager, says that as a
Health Scholar she found her passion in leadership. “Through my experience, I I started as a Health Scholar in 2016 because I wanted to learn what it is like to be
learned that there are many components to a health system, and now I see how in a health care profession before committing to my education. I quickly joined the
many people work together for one purpose—one goal.” leadership team as Coordinator for the Administrative and Cardiac Rehabilitation
tracks, working closely with nurses and staff to learn how we can improve the Health
More than 3,400 students have completed the program at St. John’s Hospitals Scholar Program, and participating in Board meetings. I would love to become a
since it was launched in 1995. St. John’s Hospitals has hired 70 graduates nurse one day and then move into an administrative position in a hospital setting. The
from this program, where they developed a deep understanding of our culture Health Scholar experience has allowed me a peek into that leadership experience.
of service and excellence in care, and wanted to return to be integrated into
this community.
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