As Tolo May prepares to begin his senior year at Aitkin High School, he is thinking about the future, much like many students his age. Rather than feeling pressured to have every answer now, the 17-year-old is focused on gaining real-world experience and discovering what interests him most.
This summer, Tolo participated in the Summer of Health Program with Riverwood’s Materials Management Department, gaining a firsthand look at how materials management supports patient care and how each department contributes to the organization’s success.
Although Tolo is considering a future in health care, he is keeping an open mind as he learns more about the many career paths available.
“Doing something is completely different from just learning about it,” he said. “I want to try everything.”
Throughout the summer, Tolo had opportunities to shadow team members across multiple departments and explore a variety of health care careers firsthand. Orthopedics and anesthesiology are among the fields that interest him now, but he is eager to continue learning before choosing a path.
Working alongside Riverwood’s teams gave Tolo a unique behind-the-scenes look at health care. He quickly discovered that materials management plays a vital role in supporting every department and ensuring staff have the resources they need to care for patients.
“Students like Tolo remind us why opportunities like this matter,” said Paula Emberland, Materials Management Manager. “Giving young people exposure to a variety of health care careers helps them make informed decisions about their future while helping us build the next generation of health care professionals.”
The experience also helped Tolo see how connected every area of the organization truly is.
“It’s kind of like a human body,” Tolo explained. “Every department is like an organ. They all work together to keep the hospital healthy.”
Tolo’s internship was made possible through Riverwood’s participation in the Summer of Health Program, a scholarship initiative hosted by Medica and the Minnesota Hospital Association Foundation. The program encourages students to explore health care careers, develop leadership skills, and strengthen the future workforce across Minnesota communities.
We are grateful for the enthusiasm, curiosity, and fresh perspective Tolo brought to Riverwood this summer. Supporting students like Tolo is one way we are helping inspire the next generation of health care professionals.