{"id":11815,"date":"2025-07-15T11:45:42","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T15:45:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/emergmed\/?p=11815"},"modified":"2025-07-15T11:58:01","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T15:58:01","slug":"unc-emergency-medicine-expands-its-highly-popular-internship-in-science-health-training-and-research-ishtar-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/emergmed\/unc-emergency-medicine-expands-its-highly-popular-internship-in-science-health-training-and-research-ishtar-program\/","title":{"rendered":"UNC Emergency Medicine Expands its Highly Popular \u2018Internship in Science, Health Training and Research\u2019 (ISHTaR) Program"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Julianne Cyr, MPH, Program Lead<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The innovative program provides high school students interested in future medical careers with broad-based and varied educational insights into the real-world practice of medicine.<\/p>\n

Medical and research internships play a key role in fostering the growth of professional skills, development of a professional network, and increased awareness of future career opportunities. However, for the next generation of researchers and clinicians, opportunities to participate in paid, summer-long skill-building internships can sometimes be challenging to find.<\/p>\n

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Dr. Benjamin Antonio, Program Co-Lead<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Internship in Science and Health Training and Research<\/a> (ISHTaR) at UNC provides a paid internship opportunity for North Carolina high school students to develop research skills, network with clinicians and researchers across an array of professions, learn practical medical knowledge, and apply a public health lens to community health problems.<\/p>\n

The UNC Department of Emergency Medicine has operated this unique internship experience for high school-aged interns for the last 8 consecutive years. Through partnerships with Orange County EMS and the Community Health Lab of Durham Technical Community College, interns benefit from being exposed to the practice of medicine within our North Carolina communities, where local impact changes lives.<\/p>\n

Expanding Due to Popular Demand\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Now in its 9th<\/sup> year, ISHTaR is further expanding. In each of its last 2 consecutive application seasons, interest in ISHTaR has doubled. For the 2025 cohort, the program received 243 applications. Furthermore, ISHTaR has increased its departmental reach by welcoming the active participation of the Department of Anesthesiology, which is hosting its first ISHTaR intern this year!<\/p>\n

The UNC Advocates for Inclusion in Medicine and Science (AIMS), a student-led organization, is hosting journal clubs to promote scientific literature reading and doctorate-level education and research awareness. AIMS\u2019 efforts this summer are led by Mr. Tej Verma and Ms. Nena Kotsalidis, representatives of AIMS Service Outreach Committee.<\/p>\n

In addition, we are excited to welcome 4 interns to the 2025 cohort! The 3 Emergency Medicine interns are Ms. Maleiha Vance, Ms. Rosely Resendiz-Alas, and Ms. Savannah Stewart. The inaugural Anesthesiology intern is Mr. Xinjie Yu.<\/p>\n

Bright Minds and A Focus on Helping Patients Mean a Brighter Future for Our Community<\/strong><\/p>\n