Boston Medical Center

An academic medical center in the heart of the city, Boston Medical Center focuses on serving underprivileged and indigent patients. The center’s mission is to “provide exceptional care without exception,” and Northeastern co-op students are often attracted to its unique role in serving the most vulnerable in our society.

Boston Medical Center’s rich history with the Northeastern University co-op program dates back more than 25 years. One of the early Northeastern co-op students placed at the Center was Kenneth Belcher BA ’77, who later served as a vice president at the Center and is now president and chief executive officer of Roger Williams Hospital in Rhode Island.

Northeastern students on co-op at the hospital work in every discipline including nursing, respiratory therapy, and pharmacy. The Center also employs business students in its various financial service functions. Additionally, Boston Medical Center is committed to hiring people with disabilities, and this commitment extends to its co-op students. An important part of the institutional culture, this sends a powerful message that all students have capabilities and talent to offer.

While Boston Medical Center values the contributions of its co-op students, it also sees the program as a pipeline for future employees. Chief executive officer Elaine Ullian says, “Not only do we get all this young talent, but also it’s a great opportunity for us to sort out who we want to keep after they graduate. How perfect is this? The student gets to see if he or she likes it here, gets to see if it’s the right fit. And it’s just a wonderful, wonderful program.”