Ochsner Education Outreach partners with and supports summer programming throughout the New Orleans area. Ochsner hosts both college and high school level student internships. Students gain first-hand work experience in non-clinical areas and in the research lab facilities.

CURE – Collaborative Undergraduate Research Experience

2017 marked the inaugural year of CURE (Collaborative Undergraduate Research Experience). The CURE program will supported five bright University of New Orleans pre-medicine students by providing an opportunity for future physicians to work in tandem with Ochsner’s Research Department.

The program creator, UNO graduate, and Ochsner Medical Center Hospitalist, Dr. Kevin Conrad established the program to provide exceptional student with an opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on medical research, a skill set of which many medical school now place an increased emphasis.

The Ochsner-UNO Summer Research Internship engages undergraduate students with hands-on experience working alongside physicians and PhDs at medical research labs at Ochsner. Interns conduct work over a seven week period in the summer. In addition to working on specific research projects, interns attend medical student lectures and grand rounds, participate in professional development activities, and receive one-on-one mentoring.

In 2017, Ochsner welcomed Neeha Mathew, Simon N. Haugland, Mina Hibino, Dayana Frazer, and Krystin LeCompte. The students supported projects in Translational Cancer research, Transplant research, and Neurosciences and Pediatric Pulmonology clinical research.

UNO Students interested in applying should visit the following link for a list of potential projects and important deadline information: http://www.uno.edu/cos/undergraduate-research.aspx

EHealth is an extension of the Youthforce NOLA Internships. Youthforce NOLA is an organization that facilitates business and education partnerships within the city, with the goal to prepare New Orleans public high school students for successful careers in high-demand fields. In the summer of 2017, Ochsner hosted 15 Orleans Parish students who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. Each student completed a 56 hour internship in a non-patient care area. The Youthforce students also attended a Professional Skills training day lead by Ochsner Learning Institute educators at Benson Tower.

EHealth is the culminating week of the Youthforce NOLA – Ochsner Internship, held at Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans. The goal of EHealth week is to expose the Youthforce NOLA interns to a variety of healthcare careers. Departments and career paths in the summer program include: Respiratory Therapy, Radiologic Technology, Telemedicine, Physician Assistant, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Histotechnician, Blood Bank, Hematology, Nursing, Mental Health, Flight Care, Medical Assistant, Rehabilitation Services, Pharmacy, Supply Chain, Anesthesiology, Patient Transport, and Clinical Research. Students also complete a Skills Training course led by the University of Queensland-Ochsner Clinical School students and spend time in the research lab learning common laboratory techniques.

The Youthforce Nola – Ochsner partnership is supported by Ochsner Workface Development.

To learn more about Youthforce NOLA and how to apply, CLICK HERE.