Several months ago, Randolph-Macon College student Erin Bryant ’18 started planning for a January Term (J-term) internship. She knew she wanted an opportunity in which she could combine her Spanish major with her interest in medicine.

Bryant, who is also a behavioral neuroscience major and biology and chemistry minor, did just that as an intern at CrossOver Healthcare Ministry in Richmond, Virginia. CrossOver was founded in 1983 by Rev. Judson “Buddy” Childress Jr. ’69. Bryant secured her internship through RMC’s Bassett Internship program. RMC’s popular J-term provides students with an opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture, embark on an internship, conduct groundbreaking research or explore other areas of study on campus. This year, 1316 students participated in J-term, including internships, study-abroad, and on-campus courses.

Photos: J-term internship at CrossOver Healthcare Ministry

Bridging the Communication Gap
“I helped bridge the communication gap between Spanish-speaking patients—the majority of patients seen at the clinic—with the nurses and staff to help ensure the best care is provided,” says Bryant, who was responsible for a variety of tasks: helping patients check in and check out; scheduling appointments; and answering phone calls from Spanish-speaking patients. In addition, she helped the nurses and doctors with interpreting as they meet with patients. “The interpreting was my favorite task,” says Bryant. “I often saw relief on the faces of the patients when they realized that I could communicate with and for them. That made the long workdays worth it.” In addition to her busy days at the clinic, Bryant wrote a Spanish-language blog about her internship.

Andrea Berger, CrossOver Ministry’s clinic manager, oversaw Bryant’s internship.

“Erin was a phenomenal asset to the clinic,” says Berger. “Interns at CrossOver not only learn about the many challenges facing members of our community who are uninsured and low income; they make a tangible difference in the lives of our patients. Whether it was through making appointments, clearly explaining our outside-referral process, promptly returning a phone call or interpreting, Erin actively contributed to our goal of providing compassionate, high-quality care. We are grateful for the support of Randolph Macon in sending us interns such as Erin. They are valuable members of the CrossOver health care team.”

Sarah Snead ’16, a bilingual patient advocate at CrossOver, was Bryant’s on-site supervisor. Snead herself interned at the clinic when she was a student at RMC, where she majored in Spanish and minored in religious studies and women’s studies. Snead trained Bryant and helped her expand her medical Spanish vocabulary.

“Interning at CrossOver allowed me to take the skills I learned in the classroom and put them to use in the working world,” recalls Snead. “I expanded my vocabulary and grew in ways I never thought possible. My RMC education, and my internship, prepared me for my job at CrossOver.” She continues, “Working with Erin was a wonderful experience. It is clear that Randolph-Macon has instilled in Erin the importance of hard work and a passion for helping others.”

Future Plans
Bryant’s future plans include graduate school, where she will follow a Physician Assistant program. Her ideal career will merge both her Spanish-speaking abilities and medicine. A member of RMC’s Pre-health Society, she says, “I learned from this internship that I enjoy speaking Spanish and helping patients and doctors communicate with each other. I feel needed and appreciated, and I have more confidence in the career path I’ve chosen. In addition, I know that my internship experience will help me stand out among other candidates for graduate school.”

Endless Opportunities
Bryant says the best thing about being a Yellow Jacket is that students have countless opportunities. She studied abroad in Spain, is a member of RMC’s EMS team and the Ashland/Hanover Rescue Squad, and works part-time in the college’s Student Health Center. She is also an Honors student, a Presidential Scholarship recipient and a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

“I was pleasantly surprised with how quickly my internship was arranged, thanks to the help from Spanish Professors Patricia Reagan and Maria José Bordera, and I am very grateful for their help,” she says. “The fact that I am able to make personal connections with my professors is helping me make the most out of my college experience, because I can see that they all want me to succeed. It is because of them that I am glad to be a Yellow Jacket.”

RMC Internships
J-term internships offer a real-world setting for connecting academic learning with the workplace. RMC’s Edge Career Center and dedicated faculty assist students in finding the perfect internship opportunity.

The Edge, an intensive four-year program that prepares students for life after college, gives students a competitive advantage in the job market or graduate-school admissions process. Workshops, internships, one-on one advising, a career and networking Boot Camp, and a host of other resources ensure that students who graduate from RMC are lifelong learners who can think critically and adapt to new situations.

RMC’s Bassett Internship program offers academic credit and connects students with tailor-made internships to explore a wide range of career fields in various locations. Students can also choose from a variety of paid or volunteer internship opportunities.