Geisinger hosts 100 junior volunteers

Geisinger’s Junior Volunteer Program hosted 100 youth participants age 15 to 18 this summer. They collectively served more than 5,600 hours supporting Geisinger patients, families and staff.

Through their service and commitment to improving the lives of patients, the volunteers played a vital part in helping to achieve Geisinger’s mission of making better health easier.

The teens learned personal responsibility and professionalism and explored future career options through hands-on service opportunities and educational workshops. Opportunities included:

• CPR and trauma response training

• Resume writing and understanding college admissions

• Service programs including Caring Cart and the Canine Therapy Program

• Leadership roundtable session with regional and system leaders

• Career education sessions in pharmacy, physical therapy, radiology, surgery, maternal fetal medicine and emergency medicine, led by Geisinger professionals

“The program builds a better future for our communities and our organization by helping to educate and prepare local youth to serve in healthcare roles,” said Tina McDowell, volunteer services director.

It’s held annually from mid-June to mid-August at four Geisinger hospital campuses: Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton, Geisinger Lewistown Hospital in Lewistown, Geisinger Medical Center in Danville and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre.

Know a teen who might be interested in this program?

Those interested can start the online application process in February. They’ll need to provide references and participate in group interviews. To be accepted, students must also commit to serving 40 volunteer hours and participating in 15 hours of career exploration education during seven of the eight weeks of the program.

The admission process is competitive, and space in the program is limited. Teens should plan ahead to apply for the summer 2025 session. Learn more about the program application requirements at geisinger.org/aboutgeisinger/volunteer.

Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates $10 billion in annual revenues across 126 care sites — including 10 hospital campuses — and Geisinger Health Plan, with more than half a million members in commercial and government plans.