Program aims to create future health care workers

The creators of Grady Health System’s Teen Experience and Leadership Program describe in an American Hospital Association podcast how providing hands-on internships for local teens is helping to build its workforce pipeline long term. The Atlanta-based health system started the program in 2022 to expose teenagers from a wide variety of backgrounds to the broad spectrum of careers available in health care. More than 400 teenagers applied to the program, and just over 260 were accepted. Grady allows the teenagers to shadow health professionals in 42 units, including nursing and other clinical areas, finance, human resources and legal compliance. To promote flexibility, shadowing opportunities are available in four-hour time slots over three shifts seven days a week.