July 16, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica Offers Unique Student Training Program:

College students considering careers in healthcare don’t usually get to try out the field before committing to it as their area of study. But at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, students are getting a firsthand look at what it’s like to work in the hospital before they decide to pursue a career in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, or a related health field.

Called the Care Extender Internship Program, this novel program has been in existence at UCLA since 1994 and provides services that are beneficial to both students and hospital staff.

Silva Thomas, who manages the program, actually began as one of its early participants while attending UCLA in 1996.

“I gained invaluable insight as a care extender when I was a UCLA biochemistry major interested in pursuing pharmacy,” Thomas said. “However, after spending considerable time in the hospital as a care extender, I realized I probably was better suited for healthcare management.”

Consequently, Thomas started working as a volunteer to manage the program and was later hired to direct it.

The Care Extender program began at UCLA’s Santa Monica campus and was later expanded to its Westwood location.

Approximately 550 students are enrolled annually in the year-long internship program, which is run by student volunteers who earn leadership opportunities through their participation.

To become a care extender, students undergo a competitive process consisting of an entrance application and a series of interviews. After acceptance, each care extender is assigned to a specific hospital area for a 13-week period, followed by rotations through other hospital departments during the year.

In addition to getting a firsthand look at health careers, care extenders do exactly what their title implies – extend the services provided to hospital patients and visitors. Dr. Wally Ghurabi, medical director of the Nethercutt Emergency Center at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, has worked with many care extenders throughout the years.

“We like having care extenders in our department because it’s satisfying to help launch a student’s future medical career,” Ghurabi said.

“The students also provide a lot of assistance within the department. Care extenders assigned to the ER may get to watch physicians perform medical procedures such as suturing or draining fluids. At the same time they may be asked to run an errand, help transport a patient, or simply help with tasks to comfort patients and their families.”

Of the thousands of students who have come through the Care Extender program since its inception, approximately 85 percent have gone on to pursue medical careers.

Tigran Garabekyan participated as a care extender during his junior year as a UCLA undergraduate majoring in chemical engineering.

After his experience in the program, he realized that a career in chemical engineering wouldn’t fulfill him and changed his major to pre-medicine.

Ten years later, Garabekyan is finishing his residency in orthopaedic surgery and is on his way to practicing as a physician.

“The Care Extender program gave me the opportunity to interact with patients and while I was participating in it, something clicked,” Garabekyan said. “I was recognized as someone who was valuable. It felt very meaningful to be part of it.”

Another program alum, Erica Djen, now is working as an ICU nurse at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Djen was a care extender for a year while studying at the UCLA School of Nursing and credits the experience for solidifying her decision to work in nursing.

“I wanted to obtain more experience interacting with patients before my clinical rotations began, which is why I chose to become a care extender,” Djen said. “The experience helped me become more comfortable with bedside skills and I also had an opportunity to meet many people, some of whom still remembered me when I was applying for and started working in the unit.”

New care extenders are recruited for the program four times per year: February, May, August, and November.

To find out more about the program, visit www.uclahealth.org/careextender.

in News
<>Related Posts

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...

Santa Monica Man Arrested for Allegedly Exporting Electronics to Iran

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Ostovari, identified as the CEO of a Tehran-based engineering firm, allegedly orchestrated the scheme since 2018  A 66-year-old Santa Monica...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...

Film Review: Jurassic World: Rebirth

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

“The story is simplistic and predictive, and that’s all it needs to be, because the age-old battle to survive the...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

SM.a.r.t.Column: Does the Rand Corporation have a future in Santa Monica?

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

“Although no one said it outright, it is clear to all that RAND is feeling—and will continue to feel—the impact...

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

LA Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying Unconscious Patient

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

He has been unconscious since admission, and staff have been unable to determine his identity Los Angeles General Medical Center,...