Student Run Programs

Pre-health Program

Backus Hospital Practicum | Paramedic Internship Program Working at Community Partners | Health Events
Health Articles (CamelWeb login required)

The Pre-Health Program is an innovative new program that places CC students at health related organizations - in both public health and clinical settings - with the intent of augmenting the setting's capacity while providing CC pre-health students invaluable and applicable community/work experience. The program educates students about the variety of health related fields, the disparities that exist between urban and suburban medical services, and the health needs and demographics of a small, diverse and developing city. Pre-health Program Student Coordinators place and track participating students at partner agencies, create new partnerships and invite speakers to present pressing contemporary health related topics to the CC community. This program consists of the following components and resources:

Backus Hospital Practicum

The Backus Hospital Practicum is a single credit bearing CIP (Career Internship Program) course in which Connecticut College students are exposed to medical careers and work in the clinical setting by volunteering in various departments at Backus Hospital. Students participating in the Practicum complete a hundred hours of work at Backus over the course of one or two semesters. Students also submit a brief monthly journal which is used for program analysis, documentation of experiences and the dispensation of a pass/fail grade for the course.

Paramedic Internship Program

The Paramedic Internship Program is a dual semester single credit bearing CIP (Career Internship Program) course. Students will obtain pre-hospital and emergency department experience through this program and Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London. The fall semester entails ten three hour seminars that introduce Connecticut College students to skills of a first responder and advanced skills of a paramedic. Participants also receive their CPR certification. During the spring semester, students shadow a paramedic from the scene of an emergency to the nearest emergency department for four 12 hours shifts. Detailed documentation of each encountered medical emergency and class attendance determine a pass/fail grade.

Working at Community Partners

OVCS places Connecticut College students at local clinical and non-clinical health related organizations which include L&M Hospital, the Community Health Center, New London Department of Public Health, Alliance for Living, the United Cerebral Palsy Association of S.E. Connecticut, and numerous other organizations. Additionally, the student coordinator will seek new partnerships to accommodate specific student interests. Students are expected to commit to a semester of work at their community placement.

Health Events

September 7th - OVCS Volunteer Fair, 1962 room, 3-5pm. Come meet organizations that need your talents and time. You could put your education into action, while learning, building your resume and doing something that matters.

Febryary 20th - The Third Annual Penguin Plunge. Join the Conn College team, raise money, win prizes, and plunge into Long Island Sound at Ocean Beach. Get off your lazy butt and EXCITE YOUR LIFE!!


Spring Semester - Do you want to work with the American Cancer Society researching local cancer demographics and subsequently help with specifically targeted community health presentations? Call Gintas x2958 or drop by OVCS for more info!