Muskie School of Public Service

Summer Internship Program in Health Policy & Management

Almost one in six dollars spent in Maine is for health care. Yet, some physicians and hospitals in Maine struggle to provide cost-effective, quality medical care. Our state has sophisticated technology to diagnose, treat and cure a variety of illnesses, but many would be best addressed by living healthier lifestyles that emphasize disease prevention and wellness. These are some of the profound challenges and exciting opportunities that face leaders who shape health policy and who manage health organizations in Maine.

This program identifies upper-level undergraduate students with a career interest in health policy or health management and arranges a summer internship experience with a health care organization in Maine.

Internships are generally eight weeks in length and full-time positions. Each placement includes a specific, predefined schedule, which exposes the student to different operational activities characterizing the health care organization. Students complete a significant project of value to the health care organization during the internship period.

Eligibility

Students who have completed at least two years of undergraduate study and have a career interest in health policy or health management are eligible. In order to promote diversity in the leadership ranks of Maine's health care organizations, an emphasis will be placed on recruiting students who represent diverse ethnic, socio-economic, gender or racial backgrounds or who have experienced (or can provide insights into) disparities that sometimes characterize the current health care system.

Application & Acceptance Process

Interested students will receive a list of available internships for the upcoming summer, including compensation. They are then required to:

  1. complete an application and indicate their placement preference,
  2. articulate their personal experience or insights with disparities in the health care system, and
  3. provide reference letters.

Applications are reviewed by the Chair of Graduate Program in Health Policy and Management (HPM). Based on the availability of internship placements and student interests, an interview will be scheduled between the placement location and student. These conversations will also finalize employment details and timeframes. Selections will be finalized and the applicants advised of their placement in early May 2008.

Additional Information

  • Students who have accepted an internship will be required to attend a one-day orientation seminar. Students will be assigned a volunteer mentor to serve as a resource to the student during the internship.
  • Depending on the requirements of a student's undergraduate program, students may be eligible to receive credits for the internship. Credit determinations will be the responsibility of the student to arrange with his or her college.
  • Students are responsible for housing arrangements, but are welcome to contact the HPM program and/or placement location for local housing information that may be available.

To Apply

Interested students who have questions or wish to complete an application are welcome to contact:

Gino Nalli, MPH
Assistant Professor and Chair of the Graduate
Program in Health Policy and Management
USM Muskie School of Public Service
gnalli@usm.maine.edu

Health care organizations that are interested in providing an internship experience are also welcome to contact Professor Nalli.

Support for the internship program has been provided, in part, by Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

Health Policy & Management Program

Since 1998, the Graduate Program in Health Policy and Management (HPM) at the USM Muskie School of Public Service has prepared students to assume leadership positions across a variety of settings that provide, finance, organize and advocate for health care services in Maine.

The HPM program offers a 47-credit master of science degree and currently has over 40 matriculated students. Graduates of the HPM program are currently employed in a variety of hospitals, professional practices, government positions, advocacy groups and other professional organizations.

The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education. Dual degrees programs are also available with the USM School of Business and the University of Maine School of Law. More focused programs of study are provided within HPM through certificates in health policy and management as well as in practice management and open to both matriculated and non-matriculated students.