Church Health Scholars

Explore your future in medicine.

Church Health Scholars

Church Health Scholars is a paid yearlong program for recent college graduates seeking to explore a career in health care and make an impact in their community.

Become a Scholar Today

Become a Scholar today— gain health care experience. foster relationships. make an impact.

Gain health care experience.

Foster relationships.

Make an impact.

Preparing future leaders in health care.

85%

achieve desired professional goals

76%

acceptance rate to medical school

91%

acceptance rate to dental school

The Church Health Scholars Program prepared me in ways that I couldn't imagine when I first came here. I had a dream of being a physician since I was a child, but it wasn't until I came to Church Health and saw the physicians here really impact people in an underserved community. And that has always stuck with me.

This opportunity has allowed for me to gain valuable medical experience and clinical exposure. I have observed firsthand the need for more cost-efficient health care for those who are financially unstable in our community. This position has allowed me to aid in Church Health’s mission to serve the underserved and contribute to improve health care within the Memphis community.

My time as a Scholar was full of learning and making connections in the medical field. If you find yourself in need of patient care or clinical experience, or are interested in learning how the health care field can grow and change you, this is the place to do it!

My experience as a Scholar was invaluable. I received hands-on experience communicating regularly with patients, and by working closely with our volunteer specialists, I developed an understanding of patient-provider interactions.

Application Timeline

Thank you to Mrs. Cecile Skaggs for the generous support of future doctors though the Church Health Scholar Program. This support honors the memory of her husband, Dr. Marvin Skaggs who was a physician and leader in our community.

Available Scholar Positions

Church Health Scholars serve in areas throughout our organization including the clinic, dentistry, and physical rehabilitation. These roles will propel you toward a career in medicine, public health and more.

Healthcare Advisory Scholar

This scholar position will be an important part of supporting the improvement processes, services, and performance of the Healthcare Advisory Team (HAT). The focus will

Optometry Assistant Scholar

The optometry assistant scholar will support the daily activities of the optometry clinic by learning to triage patients, schedule appointments, perform exam pretesting and diagnostics. The position will also provide support by helping

Behavioral Health Scholar

The behavioral health scholar assists with research and projects that focus on health equity promotion and literacy. They work with social workers and other collaborators

Physical Rehabilitation Aide Scholar

The physical rehabilitation aide scholar will assist with the everyday functions of Church Health’s Outpatient Physical Rehabilitation clinic, both clinical and administrative. They will perform designated and

Dental Assistant Scholar

Dental assistants are assigned tasks specific to the various areas of Church Health Dental Clinic. Successful applicants should be actively preparing for dental school or further study

Clinic Assistant Scholar

The clinic assistant will report directly to the nurse manager. Duties may include assisting with walk-in clinic, clerkship in the pharmacy, answering incoming calls, patient

Referral Clinic Scholar

Referral clinic assistants are responsible for managing on-site specialty care clinics and scheduling diagnostic tests for Church Health patients. During clinic sessions, Referral scholars work

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn how the Church Health Scholar program works

What is the Church Health Scholars program?

The Church Health Scholars Program is a one-year program that aims to provide recent college graduates with thoughtful and thought-provoking work experiences at Church Health, a faith-based organization that serves underserved populations in the Memphis area. Scholars work directly with our providers in one of our clinics or they work in positions that support our staff and community partners.

Who can be a Scholar?

The Scholars program is open to recent four-year college graduates (0-3 years out of college). Scholars come from a variety of backgrounds, but all have an interest in healthcare and are united in serving Memphis’ underserved populations.

When are the application & decision periods?

The application and decision dates change slightly from year to year. Generally, applications open in the fall and decisions are made by mid-spring. Each current year’s application dates will be updated in October.

Application Timeline

November 5: Application Open
February 4: Priority application deadline
February 11: Interviews begin
February 25 Application extended deadline
April 22: Candidate notifications

What resources & opportunities are available for Scholars?

Many opportunities are open to Scholars. By being embedded in our service areas, Scholars are given access to the same learning resources and experiences our staff receive. They have the option to be paired with a local professional through the mentor program, and will participate in ongoing learning opportunities focused on professional development and learning about faith and health. Many opportunities will come through interaction with providers, volunteers and other community members, while others will be structured parts of the program, such as ongoing service and networking events. Additionally, every Scholar is encouraged to develop on ongoing relationship with Dr. Scott Morris and other staff to get support with interview skills and career development.

What type of compensation do Scholars receive?

Scholars are compensated the same as full-time staff members of Church Health, receiving an hourly pay for 40 hours per week and a full benefits package that includes health insurance, access to employee assistance programs, and free membership to the Church Health YMCA. Scholars also receive paid vacation days, with the opportunity to earn more through the Church Health Staff Health Program.

Meet Our Scholars

Scholars are more than fellows and recent graduates. They are vital to the work of Church Health. Introducing the 2022 – 2023 Cohort:

Jiaen Zeng

Optometry Scholar

Alexander Carayiannis

Referral Clinic Scholar

Edgar Espinoza

Physical Rehabilitation Scholar

Munazza Hussain

Referral Clinic Scholar

David Jones

Referral Clinic Scholar

Pooja Keriwala

Referral Clinic Scholar

Sean Malone

Referral Clinic Scholar

Mary Park

Optometry Scholar

Rasa Rad

Dental Scholar

Jasmine Rotenberry

Dental Scholar

Nicholas Sharp

Referral Clinic Scholar

Won Yong Cailyn Shin

Clinic Assistant

Olivia Street

Behavioral Health Scholar

Lin Yang

Clinic Assistant Scholar

Day in the Life of a Church Health Scholar

Scholars share parts of their day to give a glimpse of what it’s like as inside each department and clinical area at Church Health. Each scholar featured took over our Instagram stories for the day to share their unique perspectives.
Navigate to our Instagram highlights section to check them out.

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A post shared by Church Health (@churchhealthmemphis)

Scholar Webinar Series

Explore careers in health care with our Scholars. Learn about the Scholar experience in each department and what Scholars contribute to and take away from Church Health.

Meet Our Scholars Playlist

5 Videos

Church Health Scholars at Church Health Memphis

Clinic Assistant Scholars

Referral Scholars

The Well Scholars

Dental Scholars

Behavioral Health & Physical Rehabilitation Scholars

Play Video

About the Church Health Scholars Program

Since its inception as the volunteer-based Clinic Assistant Program in the late 1980s, the Church Health Scholars program has helped participants launch careers as medical providers, community leaders and health care professionals.

The Church Health Scholars program is a gap-year, service-learning fellowship for recent four-year college graduates interested in serving underserved populations and exploring the intersection of faith and health. During a year of meaningful work, scholars are exposed to what it means to work in an equitable healthcare setting to serve the underserved populations of Memphis.

Church Health aims to provide a firm foundation for scholars to build professional and personal values, work ethic and perspective that forwards our mission to care for one another in our Memphis community.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation

Church Health offers competitive wages to attract and retain employees with great skills and ideas that align with our mission, and to reward achievement. Regular performance reviews are held between each employee and his or her direct manager to ensure that achievements are recognized, and that goals and expectations are being met.

Medical, Vision & Dental

Church Health offers employees working 20 or more hours per week group major medical, vision and dental coverage, effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment.

Medical and vision is currently offered through BlueCross BlueShield of TN. Dependent coverage is also available. The organization currently pays approximately 50% – 80% of premiums dependent upon coverage level and number of hours worked per week.

Affordable dental coverage is currently available through Delta Dental of TN, and spouse and dependent dental coverage is also available.

Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Accounts

Church Health offers two flexible spending account options, allowing you to save and pay for you and your family’s eligible medical, dental, vision and childcare expenses.

For participants in the High Deductible Health Plan, Church Health offers an HSA. Church Health also offers a one-time lump sum and a per pay period match for those who enroll in an HSA!

Basic Life & AD&D Insurance

Church Health offers basic life and AD&D insurance at no cost to employees. This also covers a spouse and dependent children at no cost to the employee. Employees may purchase additional supplemental group term life and AD&D for themselves, their spouses, and dependent children.

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

Church Health offers short term and long term disability coverage at no cost to employees after 90 days of employment. Short term coverage pays 70% of an employee’s eligible pay for up to 11 weeks. Long term coverage pays 60% of an employee’s eligible wages after short term has been exhausted. Employees must be on an approved leave of absence.

401k

Employees working 20 or more hours per week may participate in a 401(K) deferred compensation plan that is designed to provide income for all covered employees beyond the working years. Church Health will contribute a 3% safe harbor after one year of service and match up to an additional 1% if the employee participates.

Paid Vacation

Paid Time Off (PTO) is a benefit provided to full-time and regular part-time employees each year based on years of service and scheduled hours per week. PTO is accrued throughout the year and employees are eligible to use their accrued PTO after 90 days of employment. Employees working less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for PTO.

Church Health also observes 10 paid holidays per year.

Employee Assistance Program

All employees and members of their household have access to Church Health’s EAP provided by Lincoln Financial Group. This service offers free and confidential assistance on topics ranging from stress management to substance abuse.

Professional Development

Church Health offers various opportunities for professional development, including Church Health University, our Quality Curriculum Course and external training and seminars such as Dale Carnegie Training.

Staff Health Program

All employees are eligible for Church Health’s Staff Health Program. Participants are rewarded in cash or PTO (if eligible for PTO) based on the number of points earned for making healthy decisions and participating in other events and activities.

Church Health Scholars