CHI Health has a teen volunteering program for high school students and many students from Westside participate.

Students sign up for shifts where they volunteer during that time every week. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old and receive training once they start volunteering. Some examples of things teen volunteers do are running the hospital gift shop, directing patients on where to go at the front desk, and much more.

Students who volunteer get service learning hours and have the opportunity to apply for scholarships through CHI.

This program is a cornerstone of every CHI hospital. Sophomore Anuska Thapa has recently begun volunteering at CHI Bergan Mercy.

“I think this experience benefits kids who want to go into the medical field because it gives you career insight and it looks good on college applications,” Thapa said.

Navya Khandavalli is the Lead Volunteer Coordinator at Bergan Mercy and has been volunteering for more than 7 years with CHI.

“I think it benefits kids who want to go into the medical field because it teaches them not only about being a doctor or being a nurse, but it about all the different staff it takes to keep a hospital running… It’s also really good for college applications showing that you’ve dedicated some time into helping others in a selfless way,” Khandavalli said. 

CHI also has a university and adult volunteer program so even after high school, you have the opportunity to help the Omaha community.