Throughout college and after graduation, I participated in both the Health Scholars program at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach and the Care Navigator program at MLK Jr. Community Hospital in Los Angeles. These programs allowed me to get a well-rounded and hands on view of the healthcare system, the different careers available, and dive into the day-to-day of the different professions I was considering. When I first entered the program, I was mostly familiar with doctors and nurses but after a few weeks in the program it became very apparent how these were just a few select roles in the patient care team. As a Health Scholar, doctors and clinical team members would regularly allow me to observe procedures, which was invaluable experience. The greatest impact, however, was the interactions I had with patients. They solidified my desire to pursue a career in healthcare. I was able to enhance my bedside manner and learn how to work with a diverse patient population. As a Care Navigator, I was able to work with social workers and care coordinators to really dive into the needs of the community and the patients that we served. This program allowed me to learn about what happens behind the scenes within hospitals and clinics and how we can play a role in improving health outcomes even after the patients leave healthcare facilities. Overall, I highly recommend these programs to anyone considering a career in healthcare, whether it be clinical or administrative. read more

I joined the Health Scholar program when it was Clinical Care Extenders. This program has been invaluable to not only solidifying that I wanted to pursue medicine, but that I gained customer service skills through practicing good bedside manner, leadership skills by joining the leadership team, training skills through training while being on the leadership team, and how to be proactive. The advice I always gave to HSs is that what you put into this program is what you'll get out of it. If you want to make the most of it, it is up to you to be proactive, engage with staff, network, join a leadership role, etc in order to gain so much more out of your overall time in the program. What makes this program unique is that it allows for first hand clinical experience within a hospital setting. A regular volunteer does not work directly with the staff and patients regarding patient comfort care related tasks. This firsthand experience gives you insight to what it will actually be like to work within a clinical setting. This can help you either confirm or change your career path, which in the long run can save you a lot of time and money. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is either unsure about pursuing medicine or those who are and want to confirm their passion to join the health care field. Once in the program, be proactive and make the most out of your time. read more

Location: Kaiser Permanente, Irvine My experience as a COPE Health Scholar was incredibly rewarding and pivotal in my journey toward a medical career. The program provided me with hands-on clinical exposure, allowing me to work directly with patients and healthcare teams. This experience gave me a deeper understanding of patient care, communication, and the importance of empathy in healthcare settings. One of the most valuable aspects of the program was the networking opportunities. I had the chance to connect with physicians and medical professionals across various specialties, which not only helped me better understand different fields of medicine but also allowed me to build relationships with mentors. These connections were instrumental as I navigated the medical school application process, providing me with insights and advice that shaped my path. Overall, the COPE Health Scholars program enriched my clinical knowledge, expanded my professional network, and gave me a clearer direction in my pursuit of a medical career. It's an invaluable experience for anyone looking to gain firsthand exposure to healthcare while building meaningful professional relationships. I recommend for both individuals who are unsure about their career in healthcare and those who are set in becoming the future of healthcare professionals! read more

Kaiser Permanente Riverside (KPR) I joined the COPE Health Scholars program in 2022 during my undergrad, with the goal of becoming a Physician Assistant (PA). Since most PA schools require patient care experience for admission, I saw this program as a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience. I began my rotations in medical surgery and medical telemetry and later expanded to pediatrics, urgent care, radiology, and the emergency department. Though KPR offers even more departments to explore, I chose these specific rotations because I wanted to learn how each one operates and contributes to patient care. The training I received before starting as a Health Scholar prepared me as I rotated through these departments. What sets the COPE Health Scholars program apart is its structure. There is simply no other program I know of that offers such an opportunity to immerse yourself in multiple clinical settings while directly contributing to patient care and experience. The hands-on experience I gained and the professional connections I made during my rotations were invaluable, and I am certain they will benefit me as I pursue my goal of becoming a PA. Looking back, I wish I had discovered the program sooner. I cannot recommend it enough to anyone interested in healthcare, especially aspiring PAs, nurses, or doctors. read more

I wish I could give this program 0 stars. This is a volunteer program within hospitals for college students. They make you go through three weeks of training to learn special skills and the trainings are on Sunday's of all days from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. the program also requires you to pay $200 to be in the program!!! Despite these things, I decided to join the program because I wanted to expand my knowledge of the medical world since I want to go into that field. After completing all the trainings, passing a test, and paying $200, I joined. Now in the program, they taught us specialized skills such as bathing a patient, helping the patient get onto a gurney, and feeding the patient. When I got into my assigned department (surgical), the nurses had me take water to the patients and get vases for the flowers the visitors brought! I NEVER GOT TO DO ANY OF THE SKILLS I LEARNED AND PAYED FOR!!!!!!! THE NURSES ARE ALL UNEDUCATED AND DO NOT KNOW THAT WE AS HEALTH SCHOLARS CAN DO A LOT OF THINGS!! THIS PROGRAM JUST WANTS YOUR MONEY. IT IS A HOAX. DO NOT JOIN. ALSO, THE DIRECTOR OF THE PROGRAM IN THE HOSPITAL I WAS IN (ADVENTIST), IS VERY UNEDUCATED IN HER JOB. HER NAME IS KIM LIM AND SOMETIMES WHEN SHE GOT ASKED A QUESTION, SHE DID NOT KNOW THE ANSWER. read more

I had a great experience being a part of the COPE Health Scholar Program for over 2 years at Kaiser Permanente in Irvine and Anaheim. It allowed me to gain hands-on patient care and administrative experience volunteering in the hospital setting. I was able to work with and build connections with CNAs, Nurses, Doctors, and other medical staff in various hospital units, such as Medical/Surgical, Postpartum, and others. I found that the program managers and leaders helped me with training, making me feel more confident and competent when volunteering , and advising, keeping me on track to schedule and attendvolunteer shifts and other events. Additionally, I was able to participate in many additional academic, leadership, and work opportunities. I enjoyed being able to attend various Princeton Review and other sessions and get access to research and healthcare trip opportunities. I also enjoyed being able to take on leadership roles to help interview, enroll, train, and assist with the program tracks of other Health Scholars. I would recommend this program to any interested volunteers or pre-health students. read more

Fellow Health Scholar here! I've been with the COPE Health Scholar program since 2020, starting during the peak of COVID-19, and it has been a life-changing experience. I gained invaluable patient care and healthcare systems experience. My passion for learning and helping others has only grown, and I'm now proudly serving as a Health Scholar Assistant (HSA) with COPE. This program has allowed me to grow within the community I serve. Every time I walk into the hospital for my shifts, I feel a true sense of belonging. The support from COPE has been incredible, and I am grateful for the experiences and professionals I've encountered along the way. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in healthcare--whether you're pursuing public health, medical school, or healthcare administration. It's a perfect fit for gaining hands-on experience and advancing your career. Thank you, COPE! I can't wait to continue contributing to our communities! read more

As someone with no background or experience in healthcare, the COPE Health Scholars program provided me with direct patient care and shadowing opportunities. In rotating through 6+ different hospital departments, I connected with staff at all levels. I observed morning rounds in the Intensive Care Unit, supported alongside nurses as they dressed wounds, and assisted as a patient took their first steps post-back surgery. I also met my first of several physician mentors. There are many options for pre-health students, and I have taken advantage of many of them. However, I can confirm the breadth and depth of experience I gained with this program has not been matched by any one other opportunity. If you're looking to gain confidence, build professionalism in the clinical field, and meet potential mentors, you've found the right place. read more

I was employed as a contractor with this company. They did not give sufficient notice to relieve me of my duties. They told me the same day as I walked into the worksite that I was not going to be contracted woth them no longer. There was no evidence of to why? Even though I asked them to provide me evidence in what basis they let me go. They denied to do so. I urge you dont work for this company. It was a tragic experience and I felt humiliated to say the least. I have a extended professional record and many references. My work preformace I take very serious and carry it with integrity. So this was very very devastating. I would not want others to go thru what i did thats why i am making this post. ​ read more

Participating in the COPE Health Scholar Program has been a great experience, allowing me to work directly with healthcare professionals and gain firsthand exposure to patient care. This opportunity has significantly enhanced my understanding of clinical and administrative operations within a hospital setting, reinforcing my commitment to pursuing a career in healthcare. The hands on experience and provided through this program have been preparing me for future endeavors in PA school. I highly recommend the COPE Health Scholar Program to anyone seeking to get into the healthcare field and gain practical experience. read more

I had the opportunity to join the COPE Health Scholars program as both an HSA and Health Scholar during my undergraduate years, and it was an invaluable experience. The program provided me with firsthand insight into leadership and team management, which has been incredibly beneficial for my personal and professional growth. Additionally, it allowed me to accumulate valuable hours towards my master's degree. I highly recommend this program to anyone pursuing a Master's in Health Administration--it offers practical experience and a unique learning environment that will set you up for success in the field. read more

I joined the COPE Health Scholar when I was a junior in undergrad and it was one of the best decisions I have made. I was able to learn a lot about the roles of a healthcare team and was fortunate to get to work with many as well. This program provided me the opportunity to not only gain clinical experience but also grow as an individual and solidify my passion for healthcare. I would recommend this program to anyone who doesn't have previous clinical experience as it is a great start to learn about the healthcare field and what it offers. read more

I've enjoyed my time as a COPE Health Scholar! I've started the program shortly after operations were back on site after COVID-19. I graduated from the program 2024. Through my 3 years as a Health Scholar, I was able to gain understanding of different scopes of practice, experience great patient interaction, and solidify my path to be in the medical field. read more

I am currently a Health Scholars (HS) and the experience is really nice. I am able to shift on different departments here at the hospital and there is a lot of nice opportunities and staff that I have met that can allow me to grow as an individual. read more