The internship ran from 1 June through September 2025, placing students in 4–6 week rotations across the Authority’s departments. Assignments ranged from clinical care and allied health to administrative and technical support, exposing students to the breadth of opportunities within the healthcare industry.
This year’s placements included 29 students in nursing, medicine and EMS; 46 students in support roles such as laboratory, radiology, pharmacy, therapy services, dental, Health Information Management (coding) and forensics; and 14 students in non-clinical areas, including finance, law, facilities, patient experience, human resources and marketing.
By focusing more on clinical fields and third- and fourth-year students preparing to enter the workforce, this year’s programme emphasised HSA’s commitment to building a robust pipeline of Caymanian healthcare talent.
Specialist Clinic intern, Oriana Ellis
The internship continues to attract repeat participants, with over 25 students returning this year. One such student, Dylan Myles, rejoined the Biomedical Engineering staff and shared that he continues to enjoy his experience. His involvement this year included off-site visits to locations such as Northward Prison, where the team maintains medical and dental equipment.
Many interns said the hands-on exposure exceeded their expectations, leaving them with valuable practical lessons.
Another Biomedical Engineering intern, Dylan Whittaker, explained, “I was expecting to just be writing documents or signing off on machines that are used throughout the hospital, but it surprised me when we actually got to work hands-on with the machines. I’ve learnt quite a lot from that.”
Oriana Ellis, a Specialist Clinic intern, shared, “I was surprised at how much nurses actually do and how flexible they have to be — running clinics, doing triage, tending to patients and even dressings.”
Therapy Services intern, Jaylin Johnson
Speaking on his time in the Therapy Services Department, Jaylin Johnson added, “I learnt the different ways you could change one exercise to hit different muscles.”
“This year’s Summer Student Internship Programme was one of our most competitive yet, with over 200 applications for 89 placements,” said Samantha Bennett, Chief Human Resources Officer. “Each year we are delighted to see many of our interns return, which speaks volumes about the quality and impact of the experience. Programmes like this are essential to our succession planning: they help us identify and nurture future Caymanian healthcare professionals across clinical, allied health, and administrative roles.”
One former summer intern is now serving as a medical intern with the Authority, demonstrating the programme’s success in launching students toward healthcare careers.
The HSA Summer Student Internship is offered annually to Caymanian and Right-to-Be-Caymanian students aged 16 and older with an interest in healthcare. Students are placed according to their area of interest in departments such as information technology, pharmacy, molecular biology, materials management, and more.
By combining practical learning with professional mentorship, the programme not only builds skills but also inspires participants to envision themselves as future leaders in Cayman’s healthcare sector.
Students interested in applying for the 2026 programme are encouraged to monitor HSA’s website www.hsa.ky and apply early due to the high level of competition.