Diving into Healthcare: UD Students Support Bayhealth and Learn on the Job

There’s no time like a worldwide healthcare crisis to get hands-on experience doing what you love. Since January 21 a total of 32 University of Delaware students majoring in health related fields have been volunteering their time at Bayhealth Kent and Sussex Campuses. This arrangement is providing extra hands to help Bayhealth nursing staff on various patient care units and needed assistance in the labs.

“Our students are the future of healthcare and many of them find successful, fulfilling careers right here in Delaware,” said University of Delaware Dean, College of Health Sciences Kathleen S. Matt, PhD. “So, when our partners at Bayhealth reached out and asked for volunteers, our students were ready and willing to step up and help out.

This partnership was solidified at a time when hospitals nationally and across our state were seeing unprecedented patient volumes and extremely ill patients—not just from COVID-19 but with many other serious conditions, perhaps made worse by delayed care during the pandemic.

“We are extremely grateful for the support of the University of Delaware at this very challenging time in healthcare,” said Bayhealth President and CEO Terry M. Murphy, FACHE. “These outstanding UD students who have been working alongside our nurses and lab staff have been a significant help to our Bayhealth teams. At the same time, we’re so glad that this is a mutually beneficial arrangement that is helping the students get valuable hands-on experience that will benefit them in their future healthcare careers.”

Among the UD student volunteers are 23 senior nursing students who are preparing for what they will soon experience in their upcoming nursing careers. The nine medical laboratory science students represent a mix of class years. As they assist in the Bayhealth labs they are getting to work with equipment and apply a range of skills they have learned about in the classroom setting.

“The partnership provides our students with additional opportunities to hone their skills in a clinical setting, while developing greater connections with potential future employers,” said Dr. Matt. “But most importantly, their efforts have a positive impact on the care and overall well-being of our neighbors throughout the state. I’m so proud of them and look forward to continued partnerships with Bayhealth.”

Visit Bayhealth.org/join to learn more about Bayhealth and the many career opportunities available.