Welcome back to our 2019 Summer Internship Series! In today's post, you'll meet interns who are working in our Child Life Department, Cancer Center, Population Health, Behavioral Health and Lab. While their roles are varied throughout our healthcare system, the interns are focused on one common goal: delivering high-quality care to patients.
Name: Stacey Celestin
School: Florida State University
Major: Family & Child Science (on a Pre-Medical track)
Graduation Date: May 2020
My internship location and mentor: Population Health with Gavin Malcolm
Where I was born/raised: Fort Lauderdale, FL
The most influential person to me: My mother is someone I have always looked up to while growing up. She has always been my role model because she is a prime example of what hard work looks like. My mother came to America in the early 1990’s and has worked hard in life since then, sometimes working two jobs. Overall, her main goal has been to be able to give my siblings and me the resources that we need in order to be successful and for that I am forever indebted to her.
Why I decided to study healthcare: Since I was a small child, I’ve always dreamed of working in the healthcare field due to my passion for helping others. This opportunity granted me the ability to get my feet wet through working with healthcare staff members who are passionate in what they do. In college, I volunteer with an organization called Sisters2Service that caters to the underserved community. Through this organization, I am able to mentor young girls, feed the homeless, etc. I would love to take my passion for helping others to my future healthcare career.
What I hope to learn during my Broward Health internship: While interning under the Population Health Department, I hope to learn more about how to analyze metrics in order to help reduce the healthcare gaps of neglected and underserved individuals.
A fun fact about me: I love interior designing as a hobby!
Name: Taylor Smetanka
School: Nova Southeastern University
Major: M.S. in Developmental Disabilities with a Concentration in Child Life
Graduation Date: August 2020
My internship location and mentor: Salah Foundation Children's Hospital in the Child Life Department with Kasey Castro & Caitlin Pohlman
Where I was born/raised: South Florida born in Coral Springs, Florida.
The most influential person to me: My mom had a big influence in my life growing up. She was always supportive of my aspirations and dreams.
Why I decided to study healthcare: While I was growing up, my parents were both in the healthcare field, which inspired my desire to work in the healthcare system. At a young age, I learned I had a passion to work with children and decided to study child development. The hospital can be a stressful environment for children and I would love to soothe some of the anxieties and fears the hospital can evoke.
What I hope to learn during my Broward Health internship: This summer, I am looking forward to learning various interventions to enable children to heal emotionally and physically. I hope to gain experience in therapeutic play activities, procedural education, pain management, and bereavement support. I want to promote an environment filled with socialization and normalcy for children to be comfortable in.
A fun fact about me: I am a proud dog mom of a friendly, 7-pound Chihuahua.
Name: Martest Elijah Sheffield III
School: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Major: Healthcare Management
Graduation Date: August 2, 2019
My internship location and mentor: Cancer Center and Transportation Department with Brian McAuley.
Where I was born/raised: Jupiter Florida, Palm Beach County
The most influential person to me: The most influential person to me is my mother. She has impacted my life in many positive ways. She is a role model and a community leader who impacts lives on a daily basis. My mother cares deeply for education and for me to be the best version of myself that I can be. Watching my mother acquire a Doctorate Degree and become a transformational leader has made me view her and other black women who are leaders on a whole different level. I am constantly amazed by her progression in her career; the love and dedication she gives to her job, and the work ethic I have seen her display all my life. My mother is an educational trail blazer who has helped shape and reimagine new opportunities for families in various communities. Without the love and encouragement from my mother, I don’t know if I would make it as far in life without her. I am truly grateful the Lord has blessed me with someone who I can look up to for the rest of my life and who I can learn and grow from. My mother pushes me with tremendous effort to be better than she is and I have all the motivation I need to be a young, successful, black healthcare professional.
Why I decided to study healthcare: Growing up, I was always in the hospital for either a sports-related injury or for a mysterious illness. My orthopedic surgeon became one of the most trusted individuals in my life and inspired me to become a leader and a medical professional.
What I hope to learn during my Broward Health internship: I hope to build upon the skills that I possess and gain hands-on experience in the business aspect of the medical field. I hope that I have the opportunity to network and build relationships with medical professionals and leave a long lasting impression on Broward Health. Furthermore, I hope to gain experience in various departments and ask questions that can help propel my success exponentially.
A fun fact about me: I graduated from FAMU and obtained my bachelor’s degree in three years.
Name: Natalia Abad
School: Texas A&M University
Major: Master of Health Administration
Graduation Date: May 2020
My internship location and mentor: Behavioral Health Services with Pamela Hendricks
Where I was born/raised: Dallas, TX
The most influential person to me: My grandma was the most influential person to me growing up. She was a single mom of five kids, which included my mother. She is the most hardworking person I have ever met, sometimes working two to three jobs at a time to put food on the table, and keep a roof over their heads. It is definitely a work ethic that I try to carry with me today.
Why I decided to study healthcare: Since I could remember, I have always known that I wanted to be in healthcare. It was the role I wanted to play within the industry that I questioned. It wasn’t until I had a semester-long administrative internship, at a hospital, as a senior in college, that I decided that health administration was what I was going to pursue.
What I hope to learn during my Broward Health internship: I hope to increase my knowledge of the healthcare industry and the components of the organization. As well as build my leadership skills as I transition from a graduate student to a healthcare administrator.
A fun fact about me: I have a twin sister. She is also pursuing a job in healthcare, but from a more clinical standpoint, as a doctor.
Name: Jonathan Levy
School: University of Florida
Major: Microbiology
Graduation Date: May 2021
My internship location and mentor: Interning in the Lab Department at Broward Health Imperial Point with Rafael Casares.
Where I was born/raised: Coral Springs, Florida.
The most influential person to me: My mother was the most influential person, as she single-handedly cared for me while working a full-time job
Why I decided to study healthcare: I've grown up in a healthcare setting, as my mother works in a nursing home. This translated to me being interested in healthcare and medical professions.
What I hope to learn during my Broward Health internship: I hope to learn hospital operations, and the various departments that are required to maintain a positive hospital environment.
A fun fact about me: I'm Jewish