Sharon Hospital charts another healthcare internship program

SHARON — This summer Sharon Hospital ran its annual weeklong internship program designed for students from local high schools to gain experience in a healthcare setting.

From July 29 to Aug. 2, the program welcomed students from schools including Hotchkiss and Housatonic Valley Regional High School. Amy Llerena, a nurse and the hospital’s director of quality, has had the opportunity to work with some of the interns starting last summer.

Llerena said that the primary purpose of her engagement with the interns this year was to educate them about the job that she does at the hospital as Director of Quality.

“I am a nurse and I stressed how many different roles a nurse can play within an organization,” Llerena said. “Most people think of nurses as working at the bedside but the role can work in many different fields within healthcare.”

Llerena lauded the interns for their work and dedication during their week at Sharon Hospital, noting that they were very engaged when working with her.

“I was impressed with the questions the interns asked and how they participated with the different sessions,” Llerena said. She noted that there wasn’t anything particularly challenging about working with the students, and said she knew what to expect as a mom of three herself.

Llerena also emphasized the importance of the internship program in training the next generation of healthcare professionals.
“Grass roots and relationships are key components to new hires. I think offering a ‘sneak peak’ of what we do helps open the eyes of the interns,” she said.