Hi Jill,

We've had a summer teen program here at AnMed since way before I came here 27 years ago. There have been a few different iterations, but we currently offer two 2-week sessions. The teens are selected for one of the two sessions and they volunteer from 8:30am-4:00pm Mon - Fri. I typically have an average of 15 areas who are willing to host a teen, so I only have 30 students total - one per assignment per session. It works well for us because the volunteers and the teammates in the departments get to know each other and build relationships, but the departments aren't overwhelmed. If a previous teen did well and wants to come back, they get priority before new applicants are accepted. They also get to choose their assignment, as long as the department is open to having teens. If you want to talk, let me know.

What departments are you putting the teens in and what are they doing? Any critical assess hospitals have teen programs? 

I take teens all year round, but have only used them as greeters at the entrances and in the Gift Garden. 

Jill - we have an 8 week summer session here. We are now a system and wanted to really grow our program  this year. We had over 250 applicants and ended up placing 167 teens in 4 of our facilities. It is also the first year we did a system orientation versus facility specific. 

We have a variety of departments from accounting, marketing, foundation to ER, surgery and diagnostic xray. Our departments really bought in this year. Our prior CEO really planted a seed of 'growing our own' and our department ran with that theme and our departments responded. 

I have wanted to offer the 2 week full time options as I think it could work for many of our busy teens but I am not sure how our departments would like that set up. 

My biggest recommendation is just start, even if you have 2 or 3 departments willing to give teens an opportunity and they will work with you, go for it. Always be willing to change and modify. We are always assessing and before we are even through the summer we know what we are doing different next year. We get tons of ideas from this group of leaders and conference gives us a chance to connect and find someone doing what we want to try.  Please feel free to call me or email me directly and I will share as much info as I have with you. 304-526-1400 or julie.neal@mhnetwork.org