As high school students across the state head back to school this week, many are returning with more than just new notebooks and schedules, they’re carrying with them the unique experiences and lessons learned during UConn Health’s Summer Student Volunteer Program. For 65 students, the past eight weeks weren’t just about summer break; they were about stepping into hospital halls, lending a helping hand, and getting an insider’s look at the world of health care.

The Office of Patient Experience at UConn Health hosted the 2025 Summer Student Volunteer Program, welcoming high school students from across the region to UConn Health’s Farmington campus. The eight-week program offers participants aged 14–17 an insider’s look at health care while giving them the chance to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.

Part of a broader set of youth engagement opportunities, the Summer Student Volunteer Program connects aspiring health care professionals with real-world hospital experience. Volunteers assist in a variety of roles, from wayfinding and escorting patients to delivering flowers, stocking supplies, and helping clinical staff meet basic patient needs.

This year’s program received more than 130 applications, with the final cohort representing motivated students from local communities who share an interest in medicine.

“Having student volunteers at UConn Health this summer has been incredibly beneficial,” says Deja Rivera from the Office of Patient Experience, who helped oversee student’s day to day activities at the Guest Services Desk.

“Student volunteers provided valuable one-on-one support to patients by assisting with appointments and visits from their loved ones, helping to ease the patient experience. They also gained practical, hands-on exposure to daily hospital operations, which enriched their understanding of health care environments,” April Mansi, volunteer services program coordinator.

One of those students is Sarah Gerard, a senior from Avon High School. After moving to Connecticut from Maryland in fifth grade, Sarah set her sights on a career in health care, inspired by her stepmother, a physician assistant in oncology at UConn Health, and her mother, an engineer. Her goal is to attend the UConn School of Nursing and become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) possibly specializing as a flight nurse.

Her passion for patient care deepened after writing her program application essay about her grandfather’s hospice nurses, who brought him comfort during a time of great pain. This summer, Gerard split her time between the Office of Patient Experience and UConn Health’s Neurology Department. In the hospital, she escorted patients, delivered flowers, located wheelchairs and transport equipment, and enjoyed talking with patients to hear their life stories. In neurology, she stocked supplies, cleaned rooms, handled faxes, prepared name cards, and even sat in on a patient encounter with Dr. Mason Leeman-Markowski where she learned about TIAs, also known as mini strokes, an experience she described as “absolutely fascinating.”

Outside of her volunteer shifts, Gerard is earning her EMT license, volunteering with the Harwinton Fire Department, and participating in a mission trip to Maine. Her summer experiences have reinforced her commitment to health care and strengthened her professional skills.

She recommends the program to any high school student, even those unsure about a medical career. “I’ve gained valuable relationships, experience, and great connections,” she says. “Sometimes the work can be routine, but it’s in those moments that I’ve learned the most. No matter your field of interest, this program gives you an incredible perspective.”

Rivera agrees. “Among the volunteers, Sarah stood out for her exceptional dedication and willingness to go above and beyond. She consistently demonstrated a strong eagerness to learn and a genuine kindness in helping and directing patients wherever they needed to go. It was truly a pleasure having Sarah on the team, and her positive attitude made a meaningful difference.”

Another standout participant this year was Noor Hassan, a 10th grader from Avon who attends Madina Academy in Windsor. Like Gerard, Hassan was drawn to the program out of a desire to give back and gain hands-on experience in health care.

“I’ve always valued giving back to the community and wanted to spend my summer doing something beneficial,” Noor explains. “When I found UConn’s mission of helping people through volunteering, I was drawn to its teamwork and the opportunity to contribute to a larger mission while learning in a health care environment.”

As part of her role, Hassan worked in administrative support, filing and scanning, collaborating with two different offices, and learning how medical records are managed under HIPAA retention requirements.

“I learned what patient experience truly means to healthcare providers, and how it affects the work we do,” she says. “I also gained technical and administrative skills, understood the importance of punctuality, and learned the etiquette of dealing with patients to provide them the best experience.”

Her supervisors echoed that impact. “Noor was a pleasure to have with us this summer!” says Natasha Judge, administrative program coordinator in the Department of Neurosurgery. “She consistently demonstrated a positive attitude, eagerness to learn, and strong reliability in every task she was given. Her enthusiasm and professionalism were truly appreciated, and she represented UConn Health with pride.”

Noor expressed deep gratitude for her mentors. “I would like to thank my supervisors Natasha and Dina from the Department of Neurosurgery for all their help, kindness, and support. Additionally, I would like to thank April Mansi, the volunteer services program coordinator, for setting up the Student Volunteering Program and following up continuously during our rotations.”

Looking back, she says the program has been invaluable: “My advice to anyone who wishes to pursue an interest related to helping people is to go for UConn volunteering. Not only will you walk away with service hours, but you’ll gain skills, insights, and potential career paths you never imagined.”

Those interested in Summer Student Volunteer Program for 2026 can learn more beginning in March 2026