Prior to this internship, I had minimal experience in working with the elderly. The most attractive aspect of this opportunity was the chance to learn and work with the rapidly growing geriatric population, which I knew, would greatly prepare me for my career in physiotherapy. As a recent graduate from the University of Toronto Kinesiology Program, the knowledge, experience and connections I gained from this 6-week internship were invaluable. We engaged in a discussion series regarding many clinical and organizational aspects of caring for the elderly within the long-term care sector, attained first-hand program evaluation experience, participated in the Geriatric Training Program with staff and gained hands-on experience with residents. We also shadowed healthcare professionals to learn about their career paths and to explore our future job interests. I highly recommend this internship – whether you’ve just completed freshman year and have a desire to explore the field of aging, or if you are already committed to specializing in geriatrics. This internship surpassed all my expectations! Baycrest is truly where learning happens and offers a stepping stone to any healthcare profession.
-Fiona Yam, 2014 Intern
“My experience with the LRI internship began in July 2013. I was not sure what to expect and at most hoped to become more exposed to geriatric residents and understand what geriatrics was all about. Even after the internship, I still cannot digest everything that I had learned. I became an active member of an interprofessional group of interns. On a daily basis I was exposed to Baycrest staff who educated me about their role, their challenges and where geriatrics is heading. I shadowed PSWs, physicians, nurses and other staff who took the time to talk to me and describe what they did. I began to understand how immensely important this field is and, more importantly, how important it will become in the future with the aging population. I listened to Baycrest’s CEO, Dr. Bill Reichman, speak about all the innovative research projects that are occurring right at Baycrest, the number of teaching and learning opportunities, and Baycrest’s international presence.
My views and ideas about what geriatrics has now changed. Completely. I truly wish that each one of my med school classmates and fellow healthcare professionals was as fortunate as I was to have had this summer at Baycrest.”
-Anastasia Prokubovskaya, LRI Intern
“I was an LRI intern during the summer of 2012. I had just completed my second year of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto prior to commencement of the internship. What initially attracted me to the internship was its focus on geriatrics, as I knew that one day, the bulk of the patients using the healthcare system would be older adults. Over the course of the internship, Baycrest really exposed me to various aspects of geriatrics, but I think one of my favourite parts was being able to shadow the different healthcare professionals and learning about how they modify their practice to better cater to the needs of an aging patient population. This internship is truly one-of-a-kind and I was glad to be a part of it.”
-Selina Yim, LRI Intern
“I completed the LRI internship program in the summer of 2012, and found it to be an amazing experience! During this internship, I was responsible for evaluating both the initial development of the LRI and the internship program itself. This project allowed me to gain further knowledge in program evaluation and program planning. I found the lectures on geriatric issues by experts in the field very informative and enlightening, with information that will prove to be very useful as I enter my nursing career. I would recommend the LRI internship to any students considering a career in geriatrics!”
-Amanda Allen, LRI Intern