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For Immediate Release September 08, 2025

Aubrey Bahr

Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) proudly celebrated 29 students from six area high schools who completed the 2025 SIH High School Summer Internship Program.
The program provides hands-on exposure to healthcare careers, with students shadowing across multiple departments — from surgery to respiratory therapy, and rehabilitation to intensive care.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Carterville High School junior Aubrey Bahr, a second-year participant, said the program confirmed her dream of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

“I got to see surgeries up close and understand what CRNAs do every day. It made me want to do this even more,” she said.

For Carbondale Community High School graduate Arturo Martinez, the experience was life-changing.

“I shadowed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Emergency Department, cardiac cath lab and more, but I knew the ICU is where I belonged,” he said.
Inspired to pursue nursing, Arturo has started working part-time at SIH as a patient care tech while beginning his BSN program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Creating Career Pathways

SIH HR recruiter Jessica Vicente said programs like this build a vital pipeline of healthcare professionals for the region.

“We want to spark early interest and show students a future for themselves right here in Southern Illinois,” she said.

By the Numbers

  • 29 graduates in 2025
  • 6 high schools represented: Carbondale, Carterville, Benton, Marion, Goreville and Murphysboro
  • Countless career paths explored

SIH congratulates the Class of 2025 High School Summer Internship Program graduates and looks forward to seeing the impact they will make in healthcare.