Community Health Student Fellowship Program
Thank you for your interest; the student application cycle for the 2025-2026 school year is now closed.
We invite you to check back in January 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year.
The Community Health Student Fellowship Program, developed by Lynn Community Health Center (LCHC), is designed to close the life expectancy gap in Lynn, Massachusetts, by empowering local youth and families to take charge of their health and wellness. This program targets youth ages 15 to 20, who are actively enrolled in high school and reside within the city of Lynn, focusing on the city’s neighborhoods experiencing high rates of poverty and health risks.
The program aims to foster a new generation of healthcare leaders by providing students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to improve community health. Through mentorship, hands-on learning, and real-world exposure to healthcare careers, participants will become health advocates within their own families and communities.
Become a Mentor
Inspire. Guide. Shape the Future of Healthcare.
The Community Health Center Student Fellowship Program is seeking passionate and community-driven professionals to serve as mentors for high school students exploring careers in healthcare.
This is your opportunity to empower the next generation of health leaders—right here in Lynn.
Generously funded through our partnership with the Atrius Foundation.
Mentors
Mentors will be matched with a student fellow and meet twice per month during the program year.
As a mentor, you will:
- Provide guidance on career pathways and post-secondary planning
- Support the development of professional and soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management
- Assist students with resume writing, building a professional portfolio, and practicing interview preparation
- Help students set and achieve personal, academic, and career goals
- Serve as a positive role model and trusted advisor, inspiring confidence and leadership
Who We’re Looking For
We welcome professionals from both clinical and non-clinical healthcare roles who are passionate about mentoring youth and expanding access to healthcare career exploration. This includes:
Clinical Roles:
- Physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants
- Pharmacists, mental health professionals, therapists
- Medical assistants, dental professionals, allied health workers
- Social workers, case managers, and community health workers
Non-Clinical Roles:
- Public health professionals & health educators
- Healthcare administrators & operations staff
- Medical billing, coding, and health information specialists
- Human resources, marketing, and communications in healthcare
- Health IT specialists, telehealth coordinators, and digital health innovators
- Researchers, analysts, and compliance
If your work touches healthcare in any way—you can make a difference.
Why Join Us?
By becoming a mentor, you are:
- Investing in your community and advancing health equity
- Building the pipeline of future healthcare professionals
- Helping students from underrepresented backgrounds gain access to meaningful experiences and networks
- Making a direct impact on a young person’s life—and the future of healthcare in Lynn
Key Program Components:
Our program centers the Student Fellows as Youth Change Agents through four focus areas:
- Advocacy & Education
- Family Health & Wellness
- Mentorship
- Career Exploration & Pathways
The Community Health Student Fellowship Program’s Goals will help students:
- Spark early interest in diverse healthcare careers
- Equip students with knowledge of key health issues affecting their families and communities
- Foster leadership and civic engagement
- Provide hands-on experience and one-on-one mentoring
- Develop essential soft skills
Program Structure & Recruitment
The program commitment is for the length of the school year, for ten months (August – June), with an orientation in August. The program is accessible to all students who reside in the city of Lynn, sophomores to seniors, with recruitment supported by LCHC’s School-Based Health Centers and community partners. Each Spring, a new open enrollment, application, and acceptance process for the program will take place.
Stipends & Incentives
Each student will receive a $2,300 stipend per year, distributed in three installments through the duration of the program, to encourage full participation, offsetting costs including transportation and lost wages. Students enrolled in Lynn English High School, Lynn Classical High School, and St. Mary’s School of Lynn have the opportunity to also receive course credit for their participation in this Fellowship Program.
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee is a diverse group of 5-10 individuals consisting of community partners, students, parents/guardians, and LCHC staff, providing strategic guidance for the program. Steering Committee members will be provided with a stipend for their participation. The Steering Committee will meet once every other month, and will rotate membership each year.
A Vision for Lasting Change
The program is part of a broader effort by LCHC to improve the health of Lynn through systemic change. By focusing on youth, LCHC hopes to cultivate a long-term commitment to community health and create a more diverse healthcare workforce. The program will also provide valuable insights into effective strategies for increasing health equity across the region.
Through this fellowship, we aim to inspire and develop a new generation of healthcare professionals who are committed to making a difference in their communities. Join us in building a healthier, more vibrant Lynn!
About the Fellowship Program
- Health and Wellness – Learn about chronic diseases and care navigation
- Mentorship – Academic and career guidance with soft skill development
- Advocacy & Education – Lead health fairs, understand family health education assessments, and participate in local and state advocacy days
- Career Exploration & Pathways – Onsite Shadow Days, building a professional portfolio and academic planning.
FAQ's
1. How do I apply for the program?
Students can apply through the link at the top of the page during open enrollment time. Student and Steering Committee applications are due no later than March 13th, 2026. Decisions will be made April 3, 2026 for the school year beginning September 2026.
All applicants will be required to complete a program application, provide a letter of support from a teacher, guidance counselor, coach, boss, or other adult that is not related to the student/student care. Parents, guardians, or other approved adults will have to provide permission for the student to participate in the program.
2. How are students selected for the program?
Students are selected based on a variety of criteria including their interest in healthcare careers, community health, good standing at their respective school, and their commitment to participating in the program.
3. How does mentorship work in the program?
Each student is paired with a mentor from the healthcare field, who will meet with them at least twice a month. Mentorship sessions cover topics that include career readiness, job exploration, and post-secondary planning.
4. What types of careers will students be exposed to?
Students will learn about a wide range of healthcare professions, including:
- Nursing
- Medical Assistant
- Nurse Practitioner/Nurse Midwife/Physician Assistant
- Clinical Psychologist/Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Behavioral Health Providers
- Pharmacist
- Physician/Pediatrician
- Community Health Worker
- Health Center Manager
5. Will students get hands-on experience?
Yes! Students will have opportunities for job shadowing, career presentations, and hands-on activities, such as leading health fairs and engaging in advocacy campaigns. They will also receive training on health tools like home blood pressure monitoring.
6. How is the program evaluated?
LCHC Program staff will closely monitor and evaluate the program’s effectiveness through data analysis and direct feedback from participants. This helps ensure continuous improvement and sustainability of the program, and it will serve as a model for future health programs in the community.
7. Why is this program important for the Lynn community?
This program aims to address disparities in health outcomes in Lynn, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. By involving youth in health education and career development, we are investing in the next generation of healthcare leaders who can help improve health outcomes in their community for years to come.
8. What happens if I need to withdraw from the program?
Students who withdraw from the program will not be eligible to re-enroll. If the student is a student enrolled at Lynn English High School, Lynn Classical High School, or St. Mary’s School or Lynn, they will not be eligible for the course credit and they will not be paid the full stipend amount of $2,300.
9. What type of time requirements does this program have?
Students will be required to participate in activities both during the school day and after school including:
- One full week of orientation
- One-hour mentorship sessions twice per month
- Two-hour “Day-in-the-Life” sessions once per month
- 5-8 hours of asynchronous course curriculum per week
- Blood pressure training and monitoring
- Health advocacy projects
- Community service and health fairs
- And more
We anticipate students to have 5 hours of after schoolwork per month, excluding orientation.
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