Eskenazi Health is now accepting applications for its 2015 VolunTEEN Summer Program. The annual VolunTEEN program allows teenagers to experience professional service and shadowing for students on a path to becoming health care professionals.

Teenagers 14 to 19 years old who are interested in a career in health care and are in good academic standing are invited to sign up for the program. All applicants must turn 14 years old by June 1, 2015, to be eligible.

“The Eskenazi Health VolunTEEN Summer Program is a great way for Eskenazi Health to both influence the next generation of health care professionals and have a true impact in the lives of teenagers throughout our community,” said Scott Lawson, manager of Eskenazi Health Volunteer Services. “It’s also a wonderful way for these teens to meet new people and gain community service hours needed for school and scholarship opportunities.”

This year’s program is once again placing a special emphasis on mentoring youth and preparing them for the future of health care in nursing, therapy, medicine and other health care professions. The teens accepted into the program will be matched with mentors in departments closest to their area of interest, providing them with professional service and shadowing experience.

Participants may choose from two summer sessions – either June 1-26 or July 6-31. Once enrolled, each participant will commit three days a week to the program, one with their mentor and two in special leadership development training with Eskenazi Health Volunteer Services. All program participants must also attend a mandatory program orientation on Saturday, May 16, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital, 720 Eskenazi Ave. in Indianapolis.

All interested applicants must fill out an online application. To obtain an application, please visit EskenaziHealth.edu/careers and search “Volunteer Services” under “Select a Job Category.” Then choose and fill out an application for the 2015 VolunTEEN Summer Program. Teens will also be asked to submit a minimum 500-word essay explaining why they aspire to work in health care, their plans to achieve their goals and how participating in the program will help them in their quest.

Applications, including essays and a current transcript of grades, must be received by Eskenazi Health Volunteer Services no later than Friday, April 10, 2015, to be considered. Completed applications received after this date will not be considered for the 2015 program. Please send essays and transcripts to: Eskenazi Health, Attn.: Scott R. Lawson, 720 Eskenazi Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46202.

Please note that, with a parental permission form, all applicants will receive a free health screening by Eskenazi Health Occupational Health. The mandatory health screening includes two separate tuberculosis skin tests and an immunization verification (all teens must provide copies of their immunization records). A background check will also be completed on all VolunTEENs who are 18 or 19 years old.

If you have any questions about the 2015 Eskenazi Health VolunTEEN Summer Program, please contact Scott Lawson at 317.880.3311 or scott.lawson@eskenazihealth.edu.