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Board urged to revive Allied Health internship with Access Health to keep clinical hours local
Summary
A board member said a proposed internship partnership with Dr. Singh's Access Health practice was started about 18 months ago but not completed; the member asked staff to re-establish contacts so local allied health students can complete clinical hours without traveling to Tampa or Dade City.
A Hernando County School Board member raised a request to restart discussions with a local medical practice to host allied health student clinical rotations, saying the district previously explored an internship with Dr. Singh's office at Access Health but the effort stalled.
The issue matters to students enrolled in allied health programs because local clinical placements can reduce travel barriers and potentially provide paid opportunities.
"About a year and a half ago, Dr. Singh's office was interested in an intern program, at Access Health for our allied health program. As of today, it has not been implemented," the board member said. He said he provided contact information to Gina Mikalika and asked staff, including Beth Lastra, to follow up. The member said Access Health has a large practice and is now consolidated at Town Square Mall near Commercial Way (U.S. 19), which could make placements convenient for students who otherwise must travel to Tampa or Dade City for clinical hours.
District staff described how allied health clinical rotations historically occurred during the school day at set locations, with the district holding agreements with hospitals and long-term-care facilities. Staff said rotations typically took substantial portions of the school day when students were in advanced allied-health coursework.
Board members asked staff to investigate why earlier conversations did not lead to a placement agreement and to re-open contact with Access Health. No contract or formal agreement was approved during the informal meeting.
Board members emphasized active outreach rather than waiting for callbacks from busy medical offices. Staff acknowledged the request and said they would follow up with the contacts provided.
