Volunteering, Internships and Shadowing

Volunteering

UnityPoint Health - Meriter offers a limited number of opportunities for individuals to volunteer in the therapy areas of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and/or Speech-Language Pathology. Interested individuals must make a commitment to volunteer for a minimum of one, three to four hour shift per week for a duration no less than six months. To become a volunteer, one must complete a formal application and orientation which includes but is not limited to undergoing a health screening, providing documentation of immunization, and receiving training/orientation.

For additional information on volunteering at UnityPoint Health - Meriter, please visit the Volunteer Services Page.

Internships

We have contracts with a number of universities to offer intern and externship opportunities for students who are currently enrolled in accredited university programs in the areas of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology. Placements may be available to work with therapists in a variety of settings including but not limited to:

• Inpatient and Outpatient Pediatrics
• Inpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (OT only)
• Adult Psychiatry (OT only)
• Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation
• Acute Care

Please contact your academic adviser to determine whether your university has an established contract with UnityPoint Health - Meriter and for additional information.

Shadowing

We offer a limited number of shadowing opportunities for students planning to apply to an Occupational Therapy or Speech-Language Pathology program. For additional information on shadowing please contact the UnityPoint Health - Meriter Student Fieldwork Coordinator for the program area you are interested in. 

Please note: individuals interested in shadowing Physical Therapists should contact the volunteering department at (608) 417-6257 to initiate the volunteer application process as described above.

Occupational Therapy

Cindy Jernegan: cynthia.jernegan@unitypoint.org

Speech-Language Pathology

Sharon Bair: sharon.bair@unitypoint.org