Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) student Eunice Seet began the COPE Health Scholars Program offered at Adventist Health Castle (formerly Castle Medical Center) on August 1, following a rigorous and competitive application process. The program provides individuals interested in pursuing a healthcare career with an immersive educational experience in the hospital, combining didactic education with firsthand experience in direct patient care environments.

As a COPE Health Scholar, Seet received both hands-on experience in the field as well as course credit toward her BSPH Practicum internship course. By December, she had earned 280 hours of practical experience in the COPE Health Scholars Program, qualifying her to receive a Certificate in Patient Experience and Pre-Licensed Clinical Care from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Executive Programs in Health Policy and Management, and confirming her successful completion of the program.

Seet was recently presented with the Exemplary Service Award for the Laulima floor (the telemetry unit). This award is only earned by Health Scholars who are compassionate, patient-centered, respectful, and hard-working.

The Program Manager, Rachael Aquino, Ph.D., states, “Eunice is one of the best students we’ve ever had in the program. She is a delight to work with, and we know that she is someone we can trust with our patients and their families.”

Regarding her experience as a COPE Health Scholar, Seet says, “The COPE Health Scholars Program has given me the opportunity to be a part of something larger than I could imagine. The tasks and responsibilities assigned challenge me to expand my knowledge and experience in the medical field in ways that I cannot get elsewhere.”

Upon graduating from HPU in December with a BSPH degree and a certificate from UCLA, Seet says she seeks to work in the public health field in Hawai‘i.