Faith, growth and purpose: Reflections from AdventHealth Rocky Mountain Region's summer interns

This summer, AdventHealth Rocky Mountain Region welcomed a group of bright, passionate interns from across the globe—each bringing unique perspectives, talents, and a shared desire to serve. From hospital finance to patient experience, and from surgical observation to spiritual connection, these interns embraced every opportunity to learn and grow in meaningful ways.

Professional growth rooted in purpose

For Collin Emde from Florida, the internship was a gateway into the professional world of health care. “I’ve learned a lot about working in a professional environment,” he shared. A standout moment came during the Whole-Care Experience at AdventHealth Littleton, where he sat with four nurses who had transferred from a competing organization. “Each of them said, sincerely, ‘I can feel a difference here.’ That moment showed me how deeply AdventHealth’s mission impacts both patients and team members.” His advice to future interns? “Shadow as much as you can. Every team member has a story, and listening gives you insight you won’t find anywhere else.”

Ethan Jahn from California found inspiration in leadership. “I really appreciated hearing Brett Spenst’s perspective,” he said. “He shared that every experience is good experience—it’s up to me to define how I move forward.” Ethan also praised his preceptor, Jonathan Just, for his thoughtful guidance during his assignment at AdventHealth Parker, where he gained valuable familiarity with hospital systems through finance work.

Ryann Koobs from Colorado reflected on the importance of relationships and time management. “My favorite part of the internship has been building relationships and community with my fellow interns and others I’ve worked closely with,” she said. “The most challenging part has been learning how to prioritize and allocate the necessary time and attention to finish certain tasks when I’ve been assigned multiple projects.” The experience has helped shape her career goals: “It’s given me a deeper insight into health care and helped me pursue a potential career in the industry.”

Faith in action

At a special interview hosted by NewDay Adventist Church, several interns reflected on what it means to live out their faith in the workplace.

For Fiorella Cecotto from Argentina, humility and openness were key. “As an intern, you recognize you don’t know everything,” she said. “I’ve been willing to learn and let others teach me.” She recalled a moment at AdventHealth Porter when a colleague helped her improve an Excel project. “I decided to let her teach me—and it made all the difference.”

Josue Mendez from Oregon who served in mission integration, described faith as presence and compassion. “Living out my faith has been showing Jesus’s ministry through healing—going into rooms without an agenda and just listening.” He shared a touching story of helping a patient visit the healing garden, simply because they expressed a desire to go outside. “Even in mundane tasks, I try to keep the attitude of serving.”

Jessica Hartford from Colorado emphasized the power of connection. “One day I asked the security guard at Willow what his name was. He said no one had ever done that.” For Jessica, making others feel seen and heard is central to her faith. Her biggest challenge? “Time. No matter your role, it can be hard to make space for meaningful connections.”

Josh Essink from Idaho summed up his experience with one word: curiosity. “I’ve never experienced the medical workplace before,” he said. “In my first week, I asked about acronyms and terms I didn’t understand. My preceptor patiently explained everything.” Josh acknowledged the challenge of connecting with people who may not share his beliefs but emphasized the importance of effort and empathy.

A summer of impact

These interns didn’t just gain professional skills—they deepened their understanding of service, compassion, and community. Whether through finance, patient care, or simple acts of kindness, they embodied AdventHealth’s mission and values in every moment.

As the summer comes to a close, their stories remind us that growth happens not just in what we do, but in how we do it—with heart, humility, and purpose.