This summer I was presented with the opportunity to work as an intern at Franciscan Health through the Global Health Initiative. The internship was tailored to my strengths in mathematics as I was tasked with the data analysis of two occupational health programs that Franciscan offers – Working Well and HEALTHeACCESS. I analyzed quantitative and qualitative data related to both finances and health outcomes to provide useful insight to the company. To do so I worked closely with electronic medical records, company reports, Excel, and clinical providers. At the end of my internship, I was given the chance to present the most significant findings and insights from my research and analysis to my supervisor and other people of interest within and outside the company. I gave two different 30-minute- long presentations, one with a general scope and audience and the other with more fine details. This was a great way for me to reflect on my work and gain experience presenting in a professional setting while also providing the company with insightful feedback regarding their occupational health services. In my final conversation with my supervisor, we agreed that the internship was “mutually beneficial” since it helped me gain professional experience in the medical field while also aiding the company.
My internship at Franciscan aligned perfectly with my major and career goals while exposing me to important topics in medicine. As a math major pursuing a career as a doctor, I found this internship perfect for me since it intersected both math and health. Through this internship, I was exposed to electronic medical records which are notorious in the medical community for being difficult to navigate. This exposure allowed me to begin to understand and navigate the in and outs of electronic medical
records. Furthermore, this internship also gave me insight into the financial side of medicine, which is crucial to consider and understand, yet often overlooked particularly by care providers. Overall, my summer internship experience was fantastic, and I would like to thank Jill Rogers, Craig Miller, and Roos Powell for making it possible.
