The Northside Hospital VolunTeen program offers high school students a unique way to spend part of their summer break. It’s an opportunity to serve in a health care setting, learn from professionals and make a difference for both patients and staff.
Each summer, a select group of teens don polos and step into the halls of Northside, providing support in areas ranging from patient services to family care, all while gaining firsthand experience in a clinical environment. The program is designed to inspire the next generation of health care workers and community leaders and, for some, the drive to give back is deeply personal.
For 16-year-old Ellie Ghasemi of Marietta, volunteering at Northside Hospital was more than a summer activity. Just three years ago, Ellie was a patient herself, diagnosed at 13 with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
“I was a healthy, outgoing kid until one random week, I did not feel like myself and was very weak. At an urgent care appointment, the staff thought it was a case of dehydration,” Ellie recalled.
Her treatment lasted 2 1/2 years, beginning with a monthlong stay in the hospital and followed by intense chemotherapy and regular doctor visits, changing every aspect of her daily life. She lost her hair, completed all of eighth grade at home, and missed out on many activities she loved. Thankfully, with the support of her family and classmates, Ellie persevered.
“Being able to ring the bell and finish treatment was such a big moment. Now I’m in remission and have started thinking about the rest of my life, including college and what I can do for others,” Ellie said.
With her hospital visits now reduced to every two months, Ellie’s mom, Mary — a long-time Northside nurse — suggested Ellie look into the VolunTeen program and consider applying. Ellie’s aunt also works at Northside and made the hospital seem like an even more familiar place.
“My mom told me about the VolunTeen program and was very encouraging throughout the process,” Ellie recalled. “When it came time to interview, it felt friendly. It wasn’t scary at all, just a genuine conversation about who I am, what made me consider volunteering and my goals. It felt like I belonged from the start.”
After a few weeks of waiting for a decision, Ellie learned she was one of about two dozen teens selected for the 2025 summer program. Each Friday, she spent her mornings in the Special Care Nursery, supporting nurses and adult volunteers by bringing bottles and supplies, ultimately helping care for babies whose families couldn’t always be present. In the afternoon, she delivered snacks to staff across the hospital’s units, a small gesture that brought a smile to the hardworking nurses and allowed Ellie to see how different parts of the hospital work together.
“I thought maybe the environment would be cold and clinical, similar to what it felt like when I was a patient. What I found, though, was that the hospital was welcoming and full of kind people. You really get to see what goes into the day-to-day for nurses and how important their work is,” Ellie explained.
Her experience as a VolunTeen shifted her perspective on health care and strengthened her desire to pursue a career in nursing, especially pediatric oncology nursing.
“It’s a great opportunity to connect and help others,” Ellie said. “Being a VolunTeen has made me more excited to be a nurse and make a difference in a patient’s care and treatment. I’m so glad to have done it because I was able to see the difference in being on the other side, not as a patient, but someone who can help.”
Ellie plans to apply for the VolunTeen program again next year and hopes her story shows that even tough, trying moments and periods of life can lead to new purposes.
For other students thinking about a future in health care, Ellie’s experience is one of many that illustrate the program’s value and how it can be fun and rewarding. Applications for Northside Hospital’s 2026 VolunTeen programs open this winter.
Learn more about volunteer opportunities at Northside.
