New Mercy program offers students hands-on health care experience

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — Mercy Southeast is launching a new summer volunteer program aimed at giving local students a closer look at careers in health care.

The program, called Varsity Volunteers, will allow high school-aged students to spend several weeks volunteering in different areas of Mercy Hospital Southeast. Participants will gain hands-on experience while learning how various hospital departments work together to care for patients.

Hospital officials say the program is designed to help students explore potential career paths in medicine while also building teamwork and communication skills.

In addition to volunteer shifts throughout the hospital, students will also have the opportunity to attend weekly informational sessions with nurses and hospital leaders to learn more about different roles in health care.

Students must be at least 14 years old by May 1 to participate and will need to complete 40 to 48 volunteer hours during the summer program. Organizers say scheduling is designed to be flexible to accommodate school and other activities.

The application deadline for the summer 2026 session is May 1, with orientation planned for the week of May 25. Volunteer hours will take place between June and late July.

Students who complete the program will receive documentation confirming their volunteer service hours.