The Fidelis Care Blog

Fidelis Care welcomed 11 students to its second annual Summer DEI Internship Program, which ran from late May to early August. Diversity serves as the bedrock upon which the Fidelis Care summer internship program is built. The students, chosen by Fidelis Care People Leaders from a group of highly qualified candidates, represent a wide range of backgrounds and academic and practical experience.

"The Fidelis Care internship program stands as a beacon of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the healthcare sector,” said Michael Coppa, Fidelis Care Director of Application Development Engineering, internship program leader, and member of the company’s DEI Council’s Talent Acquisition and Development Subcommittee. “By providing a platform for students from all walks of life to engage, learn, and contribute, we not only enrich their professional growth but also fuel a more representative and empathetic industry. This program empowers us to cultivate a dynamic and inclusive workforce that mirrors the diverse communities we serve and foster a brighter, more equitable future for healthcare."  

Nine Fidelis Care interns were assigned to mentors in six departments including Product Development, Sales and Marketing, Healthcare Transformation, Finance, Regulatory and Compliance, and Value-based Purchasing. This year the program also included two Fidelis Care New Jersey interns, who worked for that plan’s Marketing and Provider Relations departments. 

The 2023 Fidelis Care summer internship program participants include:

• Mary Katherine Stewart – New York University
• Jada Sherrod – Columbia University
• Stephany Cruz Perez – Syracuse University
• Ruishi Tao - Columbia University
• Daniel Gunduz - St. John’s University
• Anum Masoor – Columbia University
• Justin Bonilla – University of Connecticut
• Jessica Huang – Columbia University
• Victoria O'Connell – Touro University
• Trinity Durboro- Columbia University
• Angelina Avila- Montclair State University

All interns set goals and developed, along with their mentors, a capstone project to gain real-world experience and directly benefit Fidelis Care, its members, providers, and other stakeholders. Past capstone projects included creating a social determinants of health dashboard, a midwife health benefit representative initiative, a strategic plan competitive landscape analysis, and a marketplace filing and implementation support plan.

"Our summer internship program is a vital cornerstone of fostering the next generation of healthcare leaders,” said Su Chang, Fidelis Care Director of Retention, internship program leader, and member of the company’s DEI Council’s Talent Acquisition and Development Subcommittee. “By immersing students in real-world challenges, we provide hands-on experience that goes beyond textbooks, equipping them with the skills needed to excel in the industry. Our impressive full-time job placement rate for program graduates underscores our dedication to nurturing talent. Many of our former interns now hold key positions within our organization, driving innovation and contributing to our mission of providing quality, affordable healthcare coverage.”

Of the six 2022 summer internship program graduates, four landed full-time jobs within Fidelis Care or Centene and two have had a successful career start with other employers.  Here’s a look at the 2022 summer interns now working full-time for Fidelis Care and Centene:

Alex Vasa, Master of Public Health, Columbia University
Business Analyst II, Fidelis Care
“My internship was instrumental in preparing me for a full-time role by allowing me to take the lead on projects and gain exposure to workstreams across the product landscape. While doing so, my experience highlighted that the most successful results are driven by collaboration and teamwork. Moreover, it prepared me to be flexible and adaptable by exposing me to the dynamic nature of an organization that sits at the unique intersection of policy, providers, and consumers.”

Louisa Lindgren, Master of Public Health, New York University
Project Manager II (HBR), Fidelis Care
“The summer internship program allowed me to succeed in the role I am in today. Through in-person and virtual events, I was able to connect with leaders across many departments in Fidelis Care which eventually allowed me to connect with leaders in my current department. These relationships and other experiences during my internship introduced me to several skills that I have continued to build upon in the past year of working at Fidelis Care and are essential to being successful in my role. The support received from both my people leader and the intern leaders was crucial to having an impactful internship experience that has since allowed me to begin my career in healthcare.”

Nia Watkins, Master of Public Health, Columbia University
Corporate Operations Manager, Centene Provider Experience
“Working at Fidelis Care, I had a wealth of experiences spanning from understanding the impact of state policy to the open enrollment process for different products, and more broadly, an awareness of the functions necessary to operate a health plan. Through these experiences, I gained a baseline understanding of Managed Care, which has made the transition to my full-time role within Centene much smoother. Overall, my time in the internship program was an invaluable experience and I will continue to carry the knowledge, skills, and relationships I gained as I move forward in my career.

Grace Gilbert, Master of Public Health, Columbia University
Project Manager I, Centene Value Creation Office
“The summer internship program allowed me to understand the various facets of a large health insurance company like Centene. I connected with like-minded peers and multiple mentors at Fidelis Care that helped me grow my analytical and interpersonal skills. Additionally, being part of the intern cohort allowed me to hear about opportunities within Centene and continue my professional career at the VCO office after my summer internship.”

As Fidelis Care’s 2023 summer interns finished the program, their leaders and mentors expressed confidence that they are well-equipped to enjoy long, successful careers.  For more information on Fidelis Care and Centene summer internships and how to apply for 2024, visit https://jobs.centene.com/us/en/students.