A dozen medical students are among 45 recruits for summer internships with the Bermuda Hospitals Board, with seven pursuing studies in nursing.

The cohort this year, ranging from ages 20 to 29, was selected from a list of 141 applicants.

Two are in their first year of college, while the remainder have been in college or university for two or more years.

Nyon Steede, director of human resources and operations, praised their “high calibre”.

Students are working in departments related to their specific field of study, including clinical areas such as nursing, the lab, imaging services, mental health services, information technology and finance.

BHB scholarship recipients were given first preference in placements.

Mr Steede said that, after a successful partnership last year with BHB’s Intellectual Disability Programme, five clients joined its summer student programme, gaining equal access to workplace experience.

This year, the BHB recruited general five scholarship winners including medical students Jahmir Celestine, Storm Gibbons, Veronica Swan-DeGraff and Shani Tucker, and nursing student Sarae Botelho.

Scott Pearman, chief executive and president of the BHB, said: “We hope to inspire and give some practical exposure to students in their chosen field of study through our summer programme.

“Eager to develop the next generation of healthcare professionals, we also want to entice them to return to us after graduation for full-time positions.”

Mr Pearman added that the BHB had partnered with the Ministry of Education for summer internships, allowing students at The Berkeley Institute, which is the sciences and healthcare signature school, insight into health careers.

He said BHB hoped to see the students join its summer programme in the years ahead and take advantage of BHB scholarships.

Students who wish to become summer interns should look for BHB’s application notices in late December. The deadline each year is the last day of February.