Shahed Kanan - Health Policy and Administration Internship
SHARON, Pa. — Shahed Kanan, a Penn State Shenango health policy and administration major, spent the summer of 2024 as an intern at The Primary Health Network in Sharon, Pa.
In this Q&A, Shahed shares her duties and responsibilities at PHN, and discusses how the internship experience prepared her for a career in the field of healthcare administration.
Begin Q&A:
Q: How did you learn about the internship at The Primary Health Network?
A: I discovered the internship by searching through Penn State's "HPA On Site Internship Database” available on the Health Policy and Administration program's website.
Q: What was your role at The Primary Health Network, and what types of projects were you tasked with as part of your internship?
A: My department was Clinical Services, this department was in charge of processing data that came in from all of our sites, and we had to make informed decisions about what areas we need to improve in. We looked at guidelines that were set for us by the state and national government in order to maintain our Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) status. We also had to work closely with other departments in order to make sure the changes that we want to implement were done properly.
Q: What classroom experiences at Shenango have prepared you for your roles at the internship?
A: I believe all of my HPA classes have helped me be prepared for my internship. The one specific class that helped me the most was my professional development in health policy and administration class (HPA 390) because it allowed me to really see myself in a healthcare setting and helped me focus my skillset.
Q: What are the key lessons you’ve learned so far during your internship experience?
A: Through this internship, I have gained valuable understanding of healthcare organizational management, including operational dynamics, strategic planning, and patient-centered care principles. The hands-on experience has prepared me to effectively navigate the complexities of healthcare administration.
Q: How can you apply your real-world experiences to your remaining classes at Shenango?
A: I can apply my real-word experience to my remaining classes by the way I approach them. It will definitely change my perspective on understanding the way health organizations are run. It’ll make more sense then just reading it off a textbook now that I have real world experience.
Q: What career(s) are you interested in after graduation, and has your internship experience helped you towards reaching those goals?
A: Following graduation, I am interested in pursing a career in healthcare administration at a hospital setting. This internship experience has significantly contributed to my professional development, equipping me with the essential knowledge, skills, and insights necessary to excel in my future career.
