Summer Volunteering Program Paves Way for Area High Schoolers’ Futures
The Friends of Strong Summer High School Volunteer Program is in full swing again, starting July 7. This program is a game changer for many local high schoolers, introducing them to healthcare and deciding if it’s the right fit for them. For Sophia Roemer, it was.
Sophia is the daughter of our very own Wendy Parisi, Senior Director and Program Administrator of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The Summer High School Volunteer Program had been on Wendy’s radar for a long time. When Sophia first showed interest in clinical work, Wendy suggested joining the program.Sophia spent her first summer with Friends of Strong in 2022, as a volunteer in the Gastroenterology (GI) Department. There, she assisted with patient bed transitioning by cleaning, preparing bed linens, and putting together IV bundles. She got many chances to speak with patients and help them feel a little better emotionally during such vulnerable moments. Many nurses encouraged her to pursue Nursing, taking the time to describe what they were doing and why so she could easily learn.
Wendy said, “Having [Sophia] in the building and caring for our patients felt like a win-win situation for both her personal development and our patients.”
In 2023, Sophia branched out and volunteered in the Physical Therapy Department. It was an invaluable experience that helped clarify her career interests. The pace was slower and opportunities for hands-on involvement were limited, helping Sophia see that she preferred more active bedside care. In 2024, she returned to volunteering in Gastroenterology, which further confirmed her desire to become a nurse with direct patient interaction. Partly because of her experiences in the Summer High School Volunteer Program, Sophia has decided to pursue Nursing at the University of Rhode Island.“The program gave me hands-on learning experience and exposure that makes me feel less intimidated by college. Thanks to the program, nursing does not feel completely unfamiliar,” Sophia said. After college, Sophia hopes to become a registered nurse in an intensive care unit or an emergency department. Her goal is to ultimately earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and possibly work in administrative healthcare leadership like her mother.
For students considering the Summer High School Volunteer Program, Sophia suggests fully immersing yourself! She explained, “For students considering a career in healthcare, I highly recommend participating, especially in a department where you can get a firsthand look at the day-to-day operations of the hospital. Make the most of it and take advantage of every opportunity the program has to offer!”
Even without continuing in healthcare, the experience is invaluable for students. Nicholas Rozzi is entering his second year of the program and shared how he loves getting out into the community, talking with all different types of people, and hearing their stories.“Being part of this program has truly made me feel that every person can make a difference, whether it is by helping someone find their way, answering a question, or just being a friendly, smiling face,” said Nicholas.
Friends of Strong is proud to continue growing the Summer High School Volunteer Program, welcoming new local students every year into our incredible healthcare community here at Strong Memorial Hospital.
Interested in learning more about the program? Visit fos.urmc.edu for more information.
Emily A. Teitsworth | 6/18/2025
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