Youth Access, a new program for high school students who may face barriers to pursuing careers in health care is being introduced by Greenwich Hospital. It is an innovative, immersive and interactive five-day introduction to the field of health care, with teaching sessions and hands-on activities at Greenwich Hospital. The program, offered in the summer to Port Chester High School students, was designed by Greenwich Hospital Chief Medical Officer Karen Santucci, M.D.; Greenwich Hospital Director of Volunteer Services Stacey Green; and the program’s founding-donor Felice R. Zwas, M.D. The design process between members of the Greenwich Hospital team reflects the same power of collaboration that will drive Youth Access’ success in the future. A multidisciplinary and diverse team of Greenwich Hospital health-care staff will share their professional expertise with the students to expose them to all the multifaceted inner workings of a hospital.
The launch of the program will take place next summer, and alumni will be encouraged to return as college interns.
A generous donation from Dr. Zwas, and her wife Sarah Gallen made this program possible. Their gift, in honor of Zwas’ parents, recognizes the importance of education with the goal to foster the career aspirations of today’s local high school students. Zwas’ parents were Holocaust survivors who were dedicated to creating opportunities for those facing disproportionate barriers.
A gastroenterologist with Greenwich Hospital, where she also served as chief of staff, Zwas attended Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, interned and completed her residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and earned a fellowship at Harvard Beth Israel.
Youth Access will accept applications from students at Port Chester High School who are interested in learning more about careers in a health-care setting. To learn more about selection criteria and applications, please contact Stacey Green, Greenwich Hospital Director of Volunteer Services, at stacey.green@greenwichhospital.org
