IFD pilots internship program for young, diverse health care leaders

The Institute for Diversity in Health Management (IFD) this fall is piloting a program that will place diverse individuals, who recently completed a graduate degree program, at internships in hospitals and health systems across the country.

Through the Fall Enrichment Program (FEP), which is modeled after the Institute’s successful Summer Enrichment Program (SEP), IFD staff will work with organizations that sign up to be host sites and match them with qualified individuals for a 10-week internship. Registration for the FEP is open, and intern matching has started. Most internships will begin at the end of August.

“The Fall Enrichment Program gives participating hospitals and health systems access to the next generation of health care leaders, who are available for full-time positions following the completion of the program,” said IFD President and CEO Tomás León. “The program also gives diverse individuals beginning their careers in health care invaluable professional experience and exposes them to important health care issues.”

A number of hospitals and health systems have already signed up to host interns this fall, including Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The hospital plans to host three interns.

“We wanted to bring on a cohort so they can experience it together and have camaraderie with others going through the same program,” said Owen Burke, the hospital’s human resource specialist in the office of diversity & inclusion.

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is currently hosting an SEP intern. Burke said the hospital has been working on a variety of ways for “how we can diversify our pipeline throughout the organization,” and when the FEP opportunity came up, “we thought it was a great opportunity to support the pilot.”

“We have had a really good experience with all of the programs that we have been involved with through the Institute,” Burke said.

IFD – an AHA affiliate – established the SEP in 1994. Since its inception, it has provided a pathway to success for more than 700 minority health care professionals, many of whom now hold senior leadership positions.

For more information on the program, visit www.diversityconnection.org. If your hospital or health system is interested in hosting an intern, please contact Chris Biddle, membership and education specialist, at (312) 422-2658 or cbiddle@aha.org.