Southwest Colorado Students Gain Real-World Experience in Health Care Internship

A group of high school students from Montezuma County and Durango spent this summer gaining hands-on experience in the medical field through an immersive internship at Southwest Health System (SHS) in Cortez, according to a July 4, 2025 article in The Journal (Montezuma County). The monthlong program, which concluded this August, gave students a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work in a wide range of health care professions—providing both inspiration and practical knowledge that could shape their futures.

According to a report in The Journal, the 2025 SHS intern cohort included students from Dolores, Mancos, Montezuma-Cortez, and Durango high schools: Liam Tarpey, Kale Gates, Marcuz Penafie, Josephine Phare, Rynie Neiman, Maddison Daves, Peyton Benally, Eva Casey, Sophia Dainty-Guilfoyle, and Alexandria Greene.

Interns were matched with rotations based on their interests but were also exposed to areas they may not have initially considered—including radiology, the operating room, and physical therapy.

“We started in 2013, and the whole intent was to really give an opportunity to explore health professions,” said Meghan Higman, SHS Director of Inpatient Services and Education. “I also purposely place people in departments that maybe not be an area of interest, because… you don’t know what you don’t know.”

That exposure paid off. Intern Eva Casey initially envisioned a future in medical imaging, but her time in other departments opened her eyes to new possibilities. Fellow intern Kale Gates found physical therapy surprisingly fulfilling.

“Helping people whenever they need it, after surgery or after they’re in a rough time—you can help them—and that’s really rewarding,” he told The Journal.

Durango student Rynie Neiman said the program provided a rare opportunity for hands-on experience, as the city’s local hospital does not accept interns under 18.

“It’s hard to pinpoint a favorite part… I think it’s really great to see a day in the life and everything that’s happening,” she said.

Beyond their daily rotations, students attended weekly four-hour Thursday training sessions where they practiced IV placement, tourniquet use, CPR, and even explored the hospital’s helipad and LUCAS device. A recent session included voice and attention training with hospital specialists. Interns worked two to four-hour shifts daily throughout the program.

The application process was rigorous, mimicking the hospital’s actual onboarding procedures. Applicants submitted essays, recommendation letters, and participated in interviews. They also underwent drug testing, background checks, TB tests, and new employee orientation.

Despite the demands, students said the effort was well worth it.

“I say go for it because this is really like a once-in-a-lifetime experience—or it feels like it,” said Peyton Benally.

Programs like the SHS internship show the growing importance of early exposure to health professions in rural Colorado. By giving high school students the chance to explore real-world medical settings, this initiative helps develop future professionals who understand both the rewards and challenges of working in health care.