National University, a private, nonprofit university, is joining with a Scripps Health-affiliated physicians group to make it easier for students studying health care administration and public health to land internships from among hundreds of local physician groups, the university announced.
National University and Scripps Mercy Physician Partners said they have created a new online resource connecting more than 650 physician member practices with graduate students in National University’s Master of Healthcare Administration, Master of Public Health, Master of Health Analytics, and Master of Health Informatics programs. Physicians can use the Internship Portal — on the Scripps Mercy Physician Partners’ Physician Resource Center website — to easily find interns looking for practical experience.
According to the physicians group and the university, Scripps Mercy Physician Partners has partnered with National University on developing the portal because the two have a long track record of working together. National University’s Master of Healthcare Administration and Master of Public Health programs annually place from 175 to 200 students in internships.
“This new portal operationalizes a vision we had to connect students and physicians,” said Dr. Tyler C. Smith, associate professor and chair, program lead MS Health and Life Science Analytics, director Health Science Research Center at the National University School of Health and Human Services. “The portal facilitates a connection between medical practice and student interests and opens up doors not available to us in the past.”
The university said its School of Health and Human Services provides accredited pathways to master’s programs preparing students for entry-level and middle-management roles in health care organizations for leadership positions in health promotion and disease prevention, community mental health, and for leadership positions in the fast growing areas of data informatics and analytics. These programs rely heavily on community partners to provide real-world experience for students.
“Today, if a doctor’s office is looking for a nursing or administrative intern, many aren’t aware where to look," said Dustin Brown, chief operating officer at Scripps Mercy Physician Partners. "We’re solving that problem. I believe the opportunities for real life, on-site experience will increase for students because the process has been simplified for everyone.”
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