Al and Trudy Agress Summer Health Corps

2023 Agress Summer Health Corps Program

Applications for the 2023 Program Closed on January 31, 2023

Agress Summer Health Corps Program is an educational hands-on program that provides high school students an opportunity to volunteer in a hospital environment while making lasting friendships. Each participant is assigned to one department or unit for the duration of the program. They will all gather for lunch, tours, and panel presentations that will expose them to a range of health disciplines and allow them to meet BIDMC clinicians who are at various stages of their careers. All participants will receive a meal card to cover the cost of lunch. Free parking is available, however we are not able to provide reimbursement for MBTA, rideshare trips, or gas. As this is a daytime program, we do not provide housing. 

Eligibility

Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to apply. Previous participants may not apply. All applicants must provide two references (one of the references must be a guidance counselor, academic advisor, or teacher) and have an interview.

All accepted candidates must submit proof of immunizations, including COVID-19 and booster.

Program Dates

The Agress Summer Health Corp is a daytime volunteer program suitable for students who live within reasonable commuting distance to BIDMC. Accepted students volunteer Mondays – Thursdays, 9:00 am – 2:00 PM with an hour-long break for lunch. Volunteers will have Fridays off. 

The program will start with a mandatory orientation on Tuesday, July 11 and will end with a closing banquet on Thursday, August 17. Accepted applicants must commit to participate for the entire program.

Application Process

The application link is now closed. It was open from December 1, 2022 – January 31, 2023. We are unable to make any exceptions. We received more than 200 applications for 20 spots.

Candidates will be notified whether they have been accepted to the 2023 program by April 1, 2023. 

What Do We Look For in an Applicant?

All applicants are given the same consideration and undergo the same screening process: application, references, and an interview. When assessing applications, we first narrow the field to complete and accurate applications that offer a glimpse of the student's personality and highlight qualities the student would bring to the BIDMC community and to the group. Additionally, we look for students who are able to manage the application process on their own as well as manage their own schedule. Part of demonstrating this maturity is communicating on one's own behalf whether by phone, email, or in person. 

In fairness to all applicants, we do not discuss applications, interviews, or placements with anyone other than the applicant, and we do not give preference to relatives of BIDMC staff or physicians. We aim to recruit high school students from Massachusetts, particularly those from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in exploring careers in the into the healthcare industry.

We receive many more applications than we have available roles. Our goal is to create a diverse team of committed volunteers who are best suited for our limited number of volunteer opportunities. We hope to attract applicants who might not otherwise have opportunities to gain experience and make valuable connections at a world-class academic medical center. 

If you have questions about the program, please contact Sarah Quinones-Myers at 617-667-3026, or by email.