Felix was an Administrative Assistant for Intermountain Health in Idaho during Spring 2025.
Briefly explain what you did and the result of your internship.
During my internship with Intermountain Health at Cassia Regional Hospital, I assisted the CEO and administrative team with hospital operations and strategic planning. I participated in leadership meetings, supported community health initiatives, and helped analyze opportunities to expand specialty services. Through this experience, I gained valuable insights into hospital administration and helped contribute to efforts that could improve patient access and care delivery in rural Idaho.
What did you learn on your internship that you were not expecting to learn?
One thing I didn’t expect to learn was how much of a hospital CEO’s role revolves around building relationships—with staff, physicians, community leaders, and partner organizations. I always thought it was mostly about operations and finance, but I quickly realized that strong leadership in healthcare is rooted in trust, communication, and collaboration.
How have your future plans changed because of what you learned from your internship experience?
My internship confirmed my passion for healthcare leadership, but it also helped me refine my path. I used to think I needed to jump straight into grad school after undergrad, but now I see the value of gaining real-world experience first. I plan to work in hospital operations after graduation to build a strong foundation, then pursue an MHA/MBA. Long term, I’m even more motivated to lead in rural healthcare, where the impact is deeply personal and needed most.
Please share how your experience led to personal inspiration or insightful revelation.
This experience showed me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking the right questions, listening, and empowering others. Watching how the CEO navigated challenges with humility and clarity inspired me to develop those same qualities. It made me realize that I want to lead in a way that builds trust, uplifts teams, and improves lives—especially in underserved communities like the one I come from.
Would you recommend this internship to other students?
Absolutely! Working alongside the hospital's president and CEO provided incredible mentorship and allowed me to get all my questions answered directly from a knowledgeable and experienced leader. It was a rare opportunity to learn firsthand how hospital operations and executive decision-making really work.
