March 18, 2008
The Area Geriatric Education Scholars (AGES) internship program for Upper Peninsula youth is accepting applications through May 2. AGES internships put UP high school juniors and seniors to work in local nursing homes, caring for seniors, leading resident activities and job shadowing healthcare professionals for seven weeks each summer.
This hands-on introduction to senior care has helped 46 UP students prepare for careers in healthcare since 2006.
Prior to placement at nursing homes in their area, interns attend a required two-and-a-half day pre-internship orientation in Marquette, where they are introduced to geriatric health issues, local healthcare professionals and facilities, and receive training and certification in adult CPR.
Once placed, interns work up to 20 hours a week for seven weeks from late June through early August. Each intern can earn up to $1,000 for the summer.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age by June 11, 2008, have just completed their junior or senior year at a UP high school and have a minimum GPA of 2.75. The complete application includes a written application form, interest essay and letter of reference. AGES applications, program information and acknowledgements to AGES partners are available here.
Through the sponsorship of the Upper Peninsula Health Education Corporation (UPHEC) and community partners and funders, AGES has trained and placed 46 UP students at 13 long-term care sites around the region since 2006. UPHEC was incorporated in 1974 and operates the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine’s Rural Physician Program, the Marquette Family Medicine Residency Program and pre-healthcare career programs at the college and K-12 level region-wide. UPHEC is a non-profit entity under Section 501(c )(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Community members with questions about the AGES program may contact
UPHEC
at (906) 228-7970.