Gracie Petersen- UNC Health: Children’s Outpatient Clinics (MHA '26)
Hi Everyone!! Greetings from North Carolina!
This summer, I’m interning at UNC Health in Chapel Hill, working with their Children’s Outpatient Clinics. UNC Health is a not-for-profit health system made up of 16 hospitals across 20 campuses and hundreds of clinics statewide. Their mission, to improve the health and well-being of all North Carolinians, is at the heart of everything they do. From day one, I’ve been welcomed with more kindness and enthusiasm than I could have imagined. The organization’s culture of compassionate care and collaborative teamwork truly shines through in every interaction.I’ve had the opportunity to work under the guidance of Jessica Simo, the Director of Children’s Outpatient Services. She oversees eight ambulatory clinics in the region, which include primary care, specialty services, and even a rare genetic disease clinic for patients with MPS. She’s an incredible mentor and leader, and I’m learning so much from her experience and insight. My main project this summer centers on enhancing the patient experience by improving communication around wait times and reducing delays across the clinics. I’ve conducted observations, analyzed Press Ganey patient satisfaction data, and developed PDSA cycles tailored to each clinic’s unique environment. Collaborating with clinic managers and nursing teams, we’ve worked to identify practical, sustainable interventions that improve transparency and help patients and families feel more informed and cared for during their visits. In addition to this, I’ve also supported process improvement efforts in the Children’s Development, Behavior, and Learning Clinic, specifically focused on new patient workflows.
Each day here brings new and exciting opportunities, from sitting in on policy development meetings to contributing to discussions around nursing quality initiatives. One of the most impactful experiences so far was participating in the annual directors’ retreat—a full-day strategy session that sets the direction for the organization in the year ahead. Observing high-level decision-making in action was an amazing experience. I also had the chance to attend Shared Governance Day, where I saw firsthand how clinical professionals shape patient care through collaborative, team-based decision-making.
Outside of work, I’ve loved exploring the Triangle area, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh. From UNC baseball games to the UNC Health Championship Korn Ferry Golf Tournament, trying new restaurants, and spending the Fourth of July in Wilmington, this summer has been so much fun! I have been especially excited to get a “bonus” summer with one of my best friends from undergrad, who’s now pursuing her PhD in the area. All in all, it’s been a summer full of learning, growth, and meaningful relationships. I’m feeling incredibly grateful for this experience and looking forward to reuniting with friends in Iowa for one final year!
Comments
Post a Comment