Day V Pilot Internship at the Office of the Surgeon General: August 9-13

In the final day of piloting the OSG internship, Nicole and Nzuekoh began to truly realize how much their minds had been opened during the week, considering all of the established people they had met and the high influential work they had witnessed. This last day was a final culmination of the experiences they had enjoyed throughout the week.

In a meeting with the Shadow Acting Chief of Staff, CDR Gregory Davis, Nzuekoh and Nicole were introduced to a new initiative the OSG is taking to provide health care to underserved regions. An issue of significant concern with the health care system in the United States is the surplus of specialized physicians and consequent shortage of general physician program. The OSG is now in the process of forming a program that will produce more general physicians who will greatly serve both specific underserved regions, like Native American reservations, and the U.S. population as a whole.  It is an exciting initiative that Nicole and Nzuekoh look forward to seeing being implemented in the future.

The day came to a close with Nicole, Nzuekoh, and Ms. Sheila’s presentation of the work they had completed during the week, the findings and deliverables for the HOSA internship through the OSG and partnership with MRC.  They prepared steps to take in the future in order to continue collaboration with the OSG during the rest of the year.

The greatest final moment of the amazing experience was the presentation of certificates by the Office of Public Health to Nicole, Nzuekoh, and Ms. Sheila. All three felt wholeheartedly honored and even more appreciative of the opportunity that they had been given. By this moment they had not only made a difference in the future of HOSA, but also in themselves. 

Piloting the OSG internship was one of the most pivotal moments in the lives of the two national officers; one that they will always remember. The passion, love, and excitement for HOSA and health care that Nicole and Nzuekoh both had only grew throughout the weekend. It makes them happiest to know that other HOSA members will also be able to grow through this opportunity for years to come.