This year, more MSU students than ever got involved in hands-on learning at McLaren Greater Lansing. The pre-health volunteer program saw a 21% jump in participation from last year, and students logged over 3,180 hours of service—up from 2,399 the year before.

Students were placed in a variety of health care settings that matched their interests and career goals. Some worked alongside nurses in labor and delivery or medical-surgical units, while others supported teams in pharmacy, rehab therapy, cardiac care, emergency medicine, and endoscopy. These placements gave students a chance to see what health care looks like in real time—beyond the classroom.

This wasn’t just shadowing. Students helped with tasks, built relationships with staff, and got a feel for the pace and pressure of clinical environments. It’s the kind of experience that helps you figure out what you want to do—and what kind of health care professional you want to be.

We also introduced a new unit leadership role this year. These student leaders helped verify hours, mentored their peers, and acted as a bridge between volunteers and McLaren staff. This role has been a great way to build community and make sure everyone feels supported. About his volunteer experience, student leader Karthick Prem Satheesh Kumar says, "McLaren is a great environment to volunteer across various departments and learn hands-on patient interaction."

Community-engaged learning at McLaren is about more than checking a box—it’s about showing up, learning by doing, and making a real impact in the community.