Graduating senior Kiara Ramos (center), president of the SSJP Student Committee, celebrates with U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (left) and Claire-Cecile Pierre, MD, vice president of Community Health Programs for Mass General Brigham.

During her time as a student intern in Perioperative Services, Lixandra Arias Gonzalez was waiting for her next assignment when a surgeon approached her and introduced himself. As they chatted about her experience with the Brigham’s Student Success Jobs Program (SSJP) thus far and her future plans, she shared that she wanted to become a surgeon.

“That’s great. It takes a lot of dedication, commitment and passion,” she remembered him telling her.

“How do I know what’s the right fit for me — working as a surgeon or being a doctor?” she asked him.

“You will know what your passion is when no matter the money, the time it takes or how hard it may be, you are willing to do it,” he responded.

This wisdom and encouragement stuck with Gonzalez throughout her time in SSJP, a year-round paid internship program designed to introduce Boston high school students — largely from communities that have experienced historical disinvestment and structural racism — to medical, health and science professions. Participating students work part-time after school at BWH and are paired with mentors who provide guidance and support. One hundred percent of students in the program graduate high school or complete their GED, and nearly all attend college, with nine out of 10 pursuing a major in health care, science, technology, engineering or medicine.

Although internships are probably the most visible component of SSJP, it is a comprehensive program that helps students embark on the college application and selection process, develop relationships with peers with similar goals, take on leadership positions in student groups, engage in educational and engaging monthly seminars, access tutoring in science and math, and apply for financial scholarships for college.

Gonzalez, a rising senior at the Community Academy of Science and Health, reflected on how her experience in SSJP has helped shaped her future during a ceremony honoring this year’s 23 graduating seniors on June 18 in Bornstein Amphitheater.

“SSJP has provided me with invaluable opportunities to shadow the various medical professionals in the hospital, surrounded by people who pick at our brains and push us to discover what we love,” she said. “These experiences were extremely transformative and allowed me to witness firsthand the dedication, skill and compassion that define the medical profession. Working alongside these exceptional individuals not only provided me with a better understanding of medicine, but also encouraged me to pursue my passion for the same field because this is something I would do for free.”

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley delivered the event’s keynote address. Drawing parallels to her own journey as the first Black woman elected to represent Massachusetts in Congress, Pressley encouraged students to find their purpose, remain authentic to themselves and never forget that they belong in every space, even if it doesn’t look or feel like it in the moment.

Members of the class of 2024, pictured with SSJP program leaders and Pressley in the foreground, display certificates commemorating their completion of the program.

From the halls of Congress to those of hospitals, a diverse and inclusive environment elevates outcomes for everyone, she added. To illustrate her point, Pressley talked about her own family’s experience when a loved one was cared for at the Brigham. Having members of their care team who were also Black not only brought a sense of comfort and familiarity to an uncertain time, but these staff also attended to the patient’s personal care in ways that added dignity.

“Personnel is policy, and programs like Student Success Jobs Program help bring a diversity of lived experiences, perspectives and thoughts to the table,” Pressley told Brigham Bulletin after the event. “The mentorship and hands-on learning opportunities provided are invaluable, and I commend the students that took a chance and pursued a passion that will encourage a career that invests right back into their communities. I am honored to have delivered the keynote address, and I look forward to seeing where you all go next. Congratulations to the class of 2024!”

Meaningful mentorship

Mentorship was another resonant theme throughout the ceremony. Claire-Cecile Pierre, MD, vice president of Community Health Programs for Mass General Brigham, spoke about those who had impacted her life and career. Her mother, who was born in a small town in Haiti in 1940, worked on economic development and social rights for farmers before immigrating to the U.S., where she became an international development professional, “but never forgot where she came from,” Pierre said. She also spoke of one of her earliest professional mentors, physician-scientist and informaticist Hilary Worthen, MD, who supported her during residency after the loss of her father and exposed her to new paths in health care.

“They were in my corner no matter what. The importance of having a mentor, whether it be a family member, a boss or a teacher, cannot be overstated,” Pierre said. “You are each leaving this program with someone in your corner — someone who took time to plan meaningful experiences for you. Someone we are all very grateful to.”

Each student speaker credited the SSJP staff for the vital role they played in their personal journey and professional success. The SSJP team connected them with mentors, facilitated student groups, provided social and emotional support and fostered career readiness. Pierre noted that the impact is evident in the program’s leadership today: Jesenia Cortes, interim director of Youth Programs, marks her 17th year at Brigham, having started here in the eighth grade as a youth program participant.

“Their genuine care and support made a difference in not only my academic life but my personal life as well,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve always felt like no matter what I was facing I had a support team I can rely on. They have created a nurturing environment where we students can feel empowered to strive for greatness, knowing we have a dedicated team cheering us on every step of the way.”

Recipients of the Outstanding Student Award share a moment with Pressley (center right) and SSJP staff Ashley Felix (second from right) and Darren Nguyen (far right).

Kiara Ramos, president of the SSJP Student Committee, described how her internship mentors helped her develop confidence, recalling the nervousness she felt starting out in SSJP.

The first department Ramos worked in, she said, was in the Nurses’ Health Study with Tanya Palmer and Frances Davoren, research assistants in the Channing Division of Network Medicine.

“As I approached those doors, I was filled with anxiety and nerves,” Ramos said. “After the first 10 minutes of meeting Tanya, her bubbly energy and excitement to have me there reassured me that this place was right for me.”

As president of the SSJP Student Committee, Ramos said she “encountered moments of uncertainty and self-doubt, grappling with the weight of responsibility that came with leadership.” These challenges, however, gave her a “newfound sense of confidence and resilience.” Ramos recently graduated from Boston Latin Academy and will head to Northeastern University this fall.

This was a common theme between students’ experiences, all of whom mentioned the benefits of mentorship, asking questions and accessing the support and resources the program offers.

Efesson Meyer, vice president of the SSJP Student Committee, credits his internship in the Office of the President for revealing “a crucial truth: Intentional relationships are the cornerstone of success.”

“In the fast-paced world we live in, stepping outside our comfort zones to build these connections is not an option but very much a necessity,” said Meyer, who graduated from Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers this month and will attend Rutgers University this fall. “Never underestimate the power of asking for help. Lucky for you, there are people around you who want to support you. They possess wisdom and guidance waiting to be shared, but it requires a degree of vulnerability on our part.”

Students from across SSJP cheer on their classmates as attendees strike fun poses in a moment of joyful celebration.