The Health Coach Program is a partnership between The College of Wooster and Wooster Community Hospital through the Community Care Network (CCN). Under medical supervision, student Health Coaches work directly with patients in the community, providing support, encouragement, and accountability as they work toward healthier lifestyles.
Ideal for students interested in:
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Physician Assistant Studies
- Public Health
- Social Work
- Allied Health Careers
- Community Health and Wellness
Why Become a Health Coach?
As a Health Coach, you’ll gain meaningful patient-care experience while developing skills that healthcare professional schools highly value. Students build relationships with patients, learn from healthcare professionals, and gain real-world insight into healthcare delivery.
Benefits of the Program
- Direct patient interaction
- Mentorship from physicians, nurses, and social workers
- Exposure to chronic disease management and wellness coaching
- Development of professional documentation skills
- Long-term patient care experience
- Strong preparation for graduate and professional school applications
Apply and Complete Training
Before working with patients, students must be accepted into the program and complete a training seminar.
Community Healthcare Seminar
Course: IDPT 13000 – Community Healthcare Seminar
Credits: 0.5 credits
When: Spring semester, Monday evenings (6:00–7:30 p.m.)
Application Period: Fall semester
What You’ll Learn
Through weekly sessions led by community healthcare professionals, you’ll explore:
- Chronic diseases affecting our community
- Diagnostic and observational skills
- Health behavior change and wellness strategies
- Patient communication and support techniques
- The impact of lifestyle on overall health
Program Requirements
Before being assigned patients, students must:
- Attend all training sessions
- Obtain CPR certification
- Complete a background check
- Participate in hands-on training activities
Work with Patients
After successfully completing training, Health Coaches begin working directly with patients in the community.
What You’ll Do
- Meet with patients in their homes
- Support healthy lifestyle goals
- Encourage accountability and progress
- Build meaningful relationships over time
Time Commitment
- Approximately one hour per week for each assigned patient
- Prepare a SOAP note (subjective, objective, assessment, and plan)
- Team meetings with healthcare professionals
Learn from Healthcare Professionals
Health Coaches receive ongoing guidance from a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
Mentorship Includes
- Dr. Amy Jolliff
- Dr. Paul Nielson
- Nurses
- Social Workers
- Other Community Healthcare Professionals
Students discuss patient progress, receive feedback, and help refine care plans while learning how collaborative healthcare teams support patients.
Build Experience Over Time
Many students continue serving as Health Coaches for four or more semesters, allowing them to develop stronger patient relationships and deepen their healthcare experience throughout college.
How This Experience Helps Your Career
Professional schools increasingly seek applicants who have meaningful patient-care experience. Health Coach alumni consistently report that this program helped them stand out in applications and interviews while preparing them for the realities of healthcare careers.
Ready to Get Started?
Applications are accepted each fall semester.
Questions?
Contact Justine Harrison at jharrison@wooster.edu for more information.
Quick Facts
Application Required: Yes
Training Course: IDPT 13000 (0.5 credits)
Patient Contact: Direct community-based experience
Mentorship: Physicians, nurses, and social workers
Typical Involvement: 4+ semesters
Career Areas: Medicine, Nursing, PA, Public Health, Social Work, and Allied Health
University Sponsor
APEX
Experience Information
- Sponsor
- The College of Wooster / Wooster Community Hospital
