Providing High School Students with Experience in Clinical Settings
Program
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Focus Areas
Capacity Building & Leadership -
Issues
Workforce Development
PHI’s FACES for the Future provides opportunities for high school students to pursue a career in healthcare by offering internships, workshops, academic support, college preparation, and wellness support.
See reflections and insights from 2025 FACES participants in Sacramento and San Francisco:
FACES for the Future Sacramento
The FACES for the Future Sacramento program interns dove into clinical settings like pediatrics, primary care, and community health, gaining hands-on exposure to the realities of healthcare work. From developing patient education materials to shadowing providers and learning how to manage patient flow, students were challenged to think critically and adapt quickly. Many discovered not only new skills, but also new interests—and in some cases, clarity around their future careers.
I liked observing and trying to figure out questions I would ask as a doctor. I’m very excited to learn about different illnesses.Thalia
Program Intern, FACES for the Future Sacramento
Being a provider is having to always multitask and to always remember different diagnoses, treatments, and medications. It really is a lot of work.Taylor
Program Intern, FACES for the Future Sacramento
FACES for the Future San Francisco
In San Francisco, students rotated through specialties like anesthesia, crisis services, respiratory therapy, and public health. Many learned clinical skills for the first time—from drawing blood and monitoring oxygen levels to supporting patient communication and observing surgeries. These internships also opened doors to unexpected discoveries and emotional moments, like finding a dream career or witnessing the urgent need for mental health support in young people.
I learned how to give a patient anesthesia during surgery, how to take a blood draw in a patient, how to tell when a patient needs oxygen, and my favorite was learning how childbirth is done through c-section.Akeelah I.
Program Intern, FACES for the Future San Francisco
During my time in physical therapy, my site supervisor helped me figure out what type of nurse I wanted to become and the steps needed."Jasmina R.
Program Intern, FACES for the Future San Francisco
At the Crisis Center, the staff and I took calls of people who were at risk of suicide or danger. We got to read summaries of the people who were at risk, their symptoms, and treatments."Hailey P
Program Intern, FACES for the Future San Francisco
A version of this impact first appeared on the FACES for the Future newsletter.
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