What began in 2022 with just 11 students has grown into a thriving pipeline program that is helping high school students across Southern Illinois discover careers in healthcare while building the future workforce for the region.
The SSM Health Volunteen Program, a summer volunteer experience for high school students, provides participants with an immersive look at the many career opportunities available in healthcare.
Now in its fourth year, the program received 56 approved applications this summer and continues to attract students from communities throughout Southern Illinois, including Nashville, McLeansboro and West Frankfort.
“The Volunteen Program is a great opportunity for students who aspire to work in healthcare, as well as those who simply want to learn more about the field,” said Ronesha Pena, Human Resources Business Partner for SSM Health in Southern Illinois. “Many students think healthcare only means becoming a nurse or physician. What we show them is the entire ecosystem of healthcare and the wide range of careers that support patient care and hospital operations.”
Participants spend several weeks shadowing professionals across a variety of departments. What began with five or six patient-care areas has expanded to approximately 20 departments throughout Southern Illinois, including Information Technology, Human Resources, Marketing, Administration and numerous clinical specialties. Students gain exposure to both patient-facing and non-patient-facing roles, helping them explore career paths that align with their interests and goals.
The program also offers educational incentives. Students who complete program requirements may apply for one of two $500 scholarships awarded at the end of the summer. In partnership with Rend Lake College, Volunteens who complete 32 service hours can also earn college credit hours that may be applied at Rend Lake College or transferred to an accredited university after high school graduation.
“This is an extremely beneficial opportunity for students to see the world of healthcare firsthand. For those who aren’t sure whether healthcare is the right fit, we encourage them to try the program,” Pena said. “Programs like Volunteen are especially meaningful in rural healthcare. It gives students the chance to explore careers they may not otherwise have access to and helps them envision how they can make a difference in their own communities.”
The program’s impact extends beyond exploration. Pena said several former participants have returned to SSM Health as employees, including certified nursing assistants and registered nurses.
“After the first year, I believed the Volunteen Program could become a strong workforce pipeline,” Pena said. “By the second year, we had former participants hired as CNAs. A few years later, some of our original students returned as registered nurses. Seeing that progression has been incredibly rewarding.”
Each summer, students begin the experience with an orientation session and receive a personalized schedule of shadowing opportunities. The program concludes with a graduation-style reception attended by parents and family members, where participants are recognized, scholarships are awarded and special honors are presented.
Applications for the 2027 Volunteen Program will be available online through the SSM Health website. Beginning next year, participants must be at least 16 years old. The unpaid program runs from early June through mid-July and includes an online application process, required health screening documentation and parental consent for students under 18.
