My Time at Prisma Health Midlands Foundation
My time as a public relations intern for Prisma Health Midlands Foundation was nothing short of incredible. I have always wanted to help others, and seeing up-close the impact the foundation and its supporters have on health care in the region was invaluable.
My time working with Prisma Health Midlands Foundation came to be courtesy of my former professor, Amy Coward. In her class, I learned so much about the field of public relations and was able to hear about the Foundation’s incredible work. This inspired me to volunteer for the 2019 Festival of Trees.
Little did I know, a year later I would be offered an internship with the foundation. I was admittedly nervous about starting this position. I wanted to do right by all the incredible work this organization does for health care in the region. Those fears quickly vanished when I started working with my team: my supervisors, Ashley and Tyler, and fellow intern, Kate. Everyone was so kind, and we all worked so well together.
I figured the internship would largely be writing press releases and social posts, but it was so much more. I was able to interact with those who were helped directly by the doctors, nurses and innovative technology offered at Prisma Health. Hearing their stories first-hand was life changing.
My favorite story was Peggy Meyer’s. I cannot begin to imagine how it felt to be diagnosed with a hard-to-treat cancer, or any cancer for that matter. Then, the thought of having to leave your home to travel across the state for treatment, during a pandemic, would be indescribable. I learned that donors to Prisma Health Midlands Foundation provided $290,000 in funding for advanced surgical equipment so that Peggy, and many others, could receive the life-changing treatment they need in the state of South Carolina. I was there for Peggy’s interview. The joy she felt at having a new chance at life made me so proud to work for the Foundation.
I loved participating in creating traditional public relations content and being a part of some unexpected projects. I never thought I would race the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion, Tap Priester, in his backyard. I did not expect to create content for Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving or work with Google Analytics and nonprofit fundraising platforms, but all these unexpected projects made my experience so valuable.
I am so grateful for the last few months, and I know they have shown how public relations can be such a powerful force for good. I am so excited to take what I’ve learned to my future classes and professional endeavors to continue helping others and creating positive change.
Thank you to everyone at Prisma Health Midlands Foundation for making this such an incredible experience!