Church Health Scholars

Church Health is committed to increasing the number of underrepresented doctors in Memphis. Through our clinical programs and strong community partnerships, we offer a comprehensive pipeline for students from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in medicine. By providing academic and experiential support, we aim to boost the number of Black and Latinx doctors, ultimately improving public health outcomes in our community and beyond.

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.

Meet Our Scholars

Scholars are more than fellows and recent graduates. They are vital to the work of Church Health. Introducing the 2023 – 2024 Cohort:

Jaylynn Lanier

Optometry Scholar

Heaven Newson

Optometry Scholar

Prim Wiphatphumiprates

Optometry Scholar

Maria Alvaro

Health Advisory Scholar

Leah Bennett

Dental Scholar

Meher Boghani

Subspecialty Scholar

Aja Ceesay

Subspecialty Scholar

Zipporah Davis

Clinic Assistant Scholar

Nathan Frangoul

Clinic Assistant Scholar

Helen Gillespie

Subspecialty Scholar

Robert McFadden

Clinic Assistant Scholar

Tom Monaghan

Subspecialty Scholar

Madeline Potter

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Scholar

Lauren Sanchez

Physical Rehabilitation Scholar

NL Transou III

Physical Rehabilitation Scholar

Ethan Wales

Subspecialty 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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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.

Subspecialty Scholar

Subspecialty scholars are responsible for managing on-site specialty care clinics and scheduling diagnostic tests for Church Health patients. Subspecialty scholars work with volunteer providers across the

Social Determinants of Health Scholar

The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Scholar assists with research and projects that focus on health equity promotion and literacy. They will work with and support Church Health

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn how the Church Health Scholar program works

What is the Church Health Scholars program?

The Church Health Scholar Program is a one-year paid internship that gives recent 4-year graduates the opportunity to work alongside providers and other Church Health staff to provide healthcare to the underserved populations in the Memphis area.

Who can be a Scholar?

To be eligible to apply for the Church Health Scholar Program, you must be a recent 4-year college graduate (0-3 years out of college).

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 1: Application Open
February 11: Priority application deadline
March 17: Extended Deadline
April 1: Candidate notifications begin for priority deadline applicants

What resources & opportunities are available for Scholars?

1500 hours of clinical experience
Vocational and professional guidance tailored to each Scholar’s desired goal
Volunteer opportunities in the local area
Mock interviews with local providers and admission team advisors
Hands on help applying to professional and/or postsecondary education programs
In-house revision services

What type of compensation do Scholars receive?

Scholars are compensated by receiving:

An hourly salary of $15 an hour for 40 hours per week
Full benefits package to include medical, vision, and dental insurance
Access to employment assistance programs
Free membership to the Church Health YMCA located in the building
Paid Time Off
Staff Health Program rewards that can be awarded as additional paid time off or money

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

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