NCH Provides Immokalee Foundation Students with Internships Focused on Women and Children's Health

NAPLES — This summer, a total of 50 Immokalee Foundation students representing all four pathways participated in paid internships at various businesses throughout Southwest Florida.

Five of these motivated students explored their calling through internships at the Women’s and Children's Services unit at NCH North Hospital. From shadowing in patient care to supporting critical admin operations, students are gaining hands-on experience across multiple departments that serve Collier County's fastest-growing population segment: women and children. Their primary focus was supporting the Pediatric, Labor & Delivery, and Mom & Baby Units.

"We chose to host these talented students because we believe in the mission of The Immokalee Foundation to empower young people through education and career opportunities," said Risa Wildeman, NCH Manager of Educational Services. "Providing them with real-world experience in a professional healthcare setting aligns with our commitment to community development and fostering the next generation of healthcare leaders."

The Immokalee Foundation's award-winning Career Pathways program provides a comprehensive out-of-school curriculum for Immokalee middle and high school students, guiding them on pathways to well-paying, in-demand careers in Southwest Florida across four key employment sectors: Business Management & Entrepreneurship, Engineering & Construction Management, Education & Human Services, and Healthcare.

At NCH, philanthropy transforms possibility into reality. James and Marillyn Hewson saw the profound impact they could make and chose to fund this powerful collaboration between NCH and The Immokalee Foundation, fueling the growth of the next generation of healthcare leaders and strengthening the very fabric of our community. We are profoundly grateful to the Hewsons for investing in our shared mission and deep belief in partnership.

"People understand the critical importance of quality health care and the growing demand for skilled professionals to provide those services here in Southwest Florida," said Noemi Y. Perez, Immokalee Foundation President and CEO. "We are deeply grateful to NCH for helping us educate our future medical professionals. It's reassuring to know that together, we are helping close the workforce gap in one of our region's fastest-growing and most vital industries."

About The Immokalee Foundation

For almost 34 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been preparing the next generation of leaders through a 100% focus on workforce development, including education, career readiness, and professional development for students in Immokalee—from kindergarten through postsecondary education. To learn more about The Immokalee Foundation, become a mentor, host an intern, take a tour, volunteer as a career panel speaker or host, donate, or include the Foundation in your will, please call 239-430-9122 or visit immokaleefoundation.org.

About NCH

NCH (Naples Comprehensive Health) is an Advanced Community Healthcare System™ serving Southwest Florida with premier routine, critical, and specialty care. NCH, a locally governed non-profit, is recognized as one of Healthgrades America's Top 50 Hospitals which puts it in the top 1% in the nation for clinical excellence, in addition to being named a Top 50 Hospital for Surgical Care. The system is more than just two hospitals (referred to as the NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Hospital) with a total of 713 beds - NCH is an alliance of over 750 physicians and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida and is the region's only Joint Commission accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center. NCH cardiac care is ranked top three in the state by Healthgrades. NCH collaborates with the Hospital for Special Surgery for orthopedics, Nicklaus Children's Hospital for pediatrics, and ProScan Imaging for radiology services, ensuring top-tier medical care is available in Southwest Florida. With the largest provider network, urgent/immediate care centers, diagnostic facilities, and two hospitals, NCH is always advancing the quality of care near you. For more information, visit www.NCHmd.org.