REAL-WORLD EXPOSURE & ADVOCACY IN COMMUNITY HEALTH (REACH)

REACH is a nine-week paid summer internship program offered by AHS for those interested in a career in public health or health-related fields. The program’s goal is to encourage pre-health professionals to choose careers that will focus on the undeserved Asian American community.

Through direct clinical experience, community health advocacy activities, and self-directed projects, REACH will introduce interns to the dynamic environment of a community health center. REACH is a program of the Pipeline Committee, an advocacy group of AHS employees formed in 2006 to address the ongoing need for linguistically and culturally competent health care professionals in our community.

Direct Clinical/Operational Experience:

Interns will rotate through various aspects of a community health setting, as described below:

  • Clinical Services: Interns will follow select patients through their clinic visits by shadowing a medical assistant, observing the physical-patient encounter, and by sitting in on behavioral therapy sessions.
  • Development/Policy: Interns will work closely with the management team to learn the operations os a community health center, including advocacy-building, policy-making, and fundraising.
  • Community Services and Research: Interns will assist with community-based programs that address the multifaceted issues facing the local community. This includes attending the meetings of our Patient Leadership Councils, helping with civic engagement campaigns, observing staff at the Youth Program, and other activities.
  • Membership: Interns will learn about health care access in the safety net system by doing outreach to patients to enroll them in health insurance, including Medi-Cal and Covered California.

Special Projects:

Interns will have the opportunity to develop a special project that will benefit AHS and the community at large. By working directly with a mentor, interns will gain enhanced skills in research, as well as in program development, implementation, and improvement.

Community Health Seminars:

To complement the education experience, community leaders will guest lecture on the many facets of community health issues important in today’s political climate, and essential to the delivery of care to the Asian-American underserved.

Question: Do you provide housing?
Answer:
No, we do not. However, we do try to provide assistance in locating affordable housing.

Question: I am an international student. Can I still apply?
Answer:
International students must have a valid working permit/visa to be considered for this paid internship.  International students with student visas will only be considered as a volunteer.  They may participate in the internship but will not be paid.

Question: Can my letters of recommendations be sent via email?
Answer: Yes, as long as it comes from that email account of the person writing the email. If you plan to include your letters of recommendations in your entire application packet, we ask that it be in a signed and sealed envelope.

Question: How much are is the internship stipend?
Answer:
The financial compensation varies from year to year, but is approximately $2500-$3000.

Question: What are the work hours during the internship?
Answer:
9am to 5pm Monday through Friday. There may be rare events on weekends or evenings, but attendance is not required.

Question: Can I take courses at same time as internship?
Answer: We expect all interns to be present during the entirety of the 9 weeks and during regular work hours.

Question: Why should I do the REACH internship?
Answer:
Our prior REACH interns say it best:

“I love the REACH program! It provided invaluable hands-on learning experiences that really taught me the reality of what it looks like to work with communities of color in a culturally competent way. The preceptors and mentors are always willing to help and answer questions, and made me feel welcome.”

“Interning at AHS has been an invaluable experience in both public health and medicine. I was exposed to a variety of areas relating to how a community health center functions, including shadowing physicians and community programs. I had to opportunity to pursue my own interests, while also discovering new areas of interest!”

“This was really fun opportunity, and I got to learn a lot about community health while exploring Chinatown! This really solidified my decision to go into medicine, and I got a lot of different perspectives on health while working here.”

REACH Summer 2019 Intern Profiles & Projects

SCARLETT HUR

Texas A&M University | Class of 2019


Bachelors in Biomedical Science w/ a minor in Neuroscience

CLARA VOONG

University of California, San Diego | Class of 2021


Cognitive Science spec. Neuroscience and Public Health Major and a Minor in Music

JACKLIN HA

University of California, Berkeley | Class of 2019


Bachelor of Arts in Asian Diaspora Studies & Integrative Human Biology

VICTORIA LEE

University of California, Davis | Class of 2020


Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior & Asian American Studies Major

REACH Summer 2020 Application

Upper-level college students and graduates who are considering careers in medicine, public health, community health advocacy, and any allied health profession are encouraged to apply. Candidates should also exhibit a strong interest in working with the Asian underserved, have basic knowledge of Asian health issues, and have experience in basic data analysis and research. Fluency in an Asian language is required, with priority for Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Korean.

HOW TO APPLY

Complete REACH Application along with:

  • Two letters of recommendation: one from an academic source (former or current professor, teaching assistant, research director) and a second from a non-academic source (program director, civic leader, employer). Both may be sent directly by each recommender.
  • A curriculum vitae that includes employment history and any community or research involvement.
  • A recent college transcript sent directly from the Office of Admissions.

 

MAIL ALL DOCUMENTS TO:

Asian Health Services, REACH Internship
Attention: Katie Wang
101 8th Street, Suite 100
Oakland, CA 94607

The application and all items listed above must be received by March 9, 2020

A personal interview will be granted to selected individuals and required for acceptance. On-site interviews will be conducted from March 30 to April 10, 2020. Telephone interviews may be arranged on an individual basis.

 

Important Dates:

o   Program dates: June 15 to Aug 14, 2020
o   Application postmark deadline: March 9, 2020
o   Interviews: March 30 to April 10
o   Acceptance Notifications (approximate date): By April 24, 2020

Please refer to the FAQ on this page if you have any questions about the internship program or application process. If you have further questions, please contact Kwang@ahschc.org.