BSPH in Health Services Management, 2020
Current Title: Patient Navigator with Ascension
Employer: St. Vincent Medical Group
Growing up with a parent who was paraplegic, Taylor had to mature quickly. She learned how to care for her dad and help him do things he had difficulties doing on his own.
“I was surrounded by medical supplies, wheelchairs, renovated car features – things that would help him live his life,” Taylor said. “I loved the feeling I got from helping someone that couldn’t help themselves, the feeling of making a difference in someone’s life."
In addition to helping others, Taylor knew she loved doing administration work. That is why she chose Health Services Management as a major.
“I get the best of both worlds – to be in the professional leadership role, while also being around patients and being able to help others.”
Taylor wanted hands-on experience and was fortunate in that she didn’t have to do much searching to find an internship.
“One of my professors actually worked with my former supervisor to create a new internship experience,” she said.
Taylor accepted the new internship opportunity, which was with St. Vincent Medical Group for the summer of 2019. Throughout her time there, she primarily job shadowed, spending time each week with a different department/role within administration. She shadowed a manager of a physician office, social worker, transformation specialist, patient navigators and project manager She also learned about data analysis, quality and community outreach.
“The best part about my internship experience was spending time with the Rural and Urban Access to Health (RUAH) department,” Taylor said.
RUAH is a community-based care coordination program, sponsored by St. Vincent Medical Group, that provides a comprehensive network of health, human and social services. This community outreach team works with lower income individuals and families to assist in needs such as medication assistance, Medicaid, food stamps, translation barriers, uninsured pregnancies and more.
“I loved being a part of the team that helps those in need,” Taylor said. “I also enjoyed being a part of professional meetings on a corporate level. This really allowed me to grasp a good understanding about the organization and what big hurdles, challenges or successes they are going through.”
Taylor said this internship directly impacted her career goals because she was offered (and has accepted) a position with the RUAH department at St. Vincent. She believes it also helped her grow professionally and network with many different people.
“Internships are a fantastic way to not only allow students to get a feel and understanding for what it is like in a professional setting, it also allows the organization to grow and potentially find a prospective new employee,” she said. “Internships also challenge students to apply what they are learning in class to the job that is expected of them.”
Prior to her internship, Taylor worked full-time in retail pharmacy and was stressed about her ability to balance work and an internship over the summer. She ultimately chose to move forward with the internship.
“I am extremely happy I prioritized the internship over my work because in the long run it led me to a career before I even graduate. You never know what might come out of your internship, so for that summer, spring or fall do that internship and do it with confidence. You may be lucky and offered a position when it is over!”
