Project Healthcare (PHC) is offered in Manhattan at NYC Health+Hospitals/Bellevue, and in Brooklyn at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn. PHC volunteers are given the opportunity to explore the reality of a career in medicine by providing patient support by carrying out such tasks as talking with patients, supporting them, making phone calls on their behalf, monitoring their length of stay, and helping their emotional and physical wellness within the purview of a volunteer. In addition to physician attendings, residents, RNs, and NPs, our volunteers engage in meaningful conversation with hospital janitorial staff, patient care technicians, behavioral health assistants, and certified nursing assistants. The true cornerstone of the PHC program is, however, patient advocacy. Both Bellevue and NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn have historically served, and continue to serve, those whose medical diagnoses are complicated by homelessness, food insecurity, undocumented immigration status, and mental health crises. Through hands on experience in one of New York City’s level 1 Trauma Centers, our volunteers are exposed to numerous aspects of patient care and advocacy while working closely with clinical staff.
In addition to the Emergency Department, which includes adult and pediatric emergency departments, volunteers typically rotate through the Trauma Center, Social Work, Nursing, Operating Room, Cardiac Catheterization Lab, EMT Ambulance Ride Alongs, Safety Net Clinic, Psychiatry, and Triage. Note, rotations vary year-to-year and by location.
Founded in 1981 by one of the fathers of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Lewis Goldfrank, our program has seen over 90% of its alumni achieve careers in medicine. Many past participants have gained acceptance into some of the most prestigious medical institutions in the nation (including our own), citing their experiences in Project Healthcare as pivotal to their success. For our volunteers, it is often the individual patient interactions that are most impactful. In the fast-paced, often chaotic emergency department, patients greatly benefit from their conversations with our volunteers as well.
More information on Project Healthcare and our other volunteer programs can be found on our web page. The application for Project Healthcare Summer Volunteer Program 2026 is now open and will officially close on February 1, 2026. The application requires the submission of a personal statement, a current CV or resume, and two letters of recommendation, and a payment of $10-$15. Please note that no previous experiences are required.
We will be holding two Project Healthcare information sessions for the 2026 application cycle: the first will be Friday, November 14th, 2025, at 1:00pm EST, and the second will be Friday, January 9th, 2026, at 1:00pm EST.
