FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- Brooke Army Medical Center Volunteer Services kicked off the annual youth volunteer summer program June 10, with an orientation for more than 55 volunteers.

BAMC and American Red Cross Summer Youth Program collaborate to offer teens, 14-17 years old, the experience of working in a hospital environment each year.

Youth volunteer orientation included Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act familiarization, a fire safety briefing and infection control training.

Afterward, volunteers met with supervisors and learned about duties and working environments.

Volunteers are assigned a variety of clerical duties throughout the hospital including filing, shredding and answering phones.

"This is a popular program among the youth and they are enthusiastic about participating. Many BAMC youth who have volunteered here in the past are now college students studying to be health care professionals," said Jessica Veilleux, chief, BAMC Volunteer Services.

The program benefits teens but also is great experience for supervisors who participate.

"Supervisors from different clinics play a major role in this program," said Mike Dulevitz, BAMC Volunteer Services coordinator.

"Supervisors offered enough positions so we can mentor many youth interested as volunteers. This is a wonderful program where supervisors are interested in supporting the youth's dreams and youth experience a vision of who they can become when they are adults," Veilleux said.

Returning youths Nathan Cox, 17, and Sheri Johnson, 15, both agreed they came back for the work experience and the people they meet while volunteering at Brooke Army Medical Center.

"I enjoy being around military and I can take this valuable experience to my next job. My mother also works here so it makes it convenient for her and me to come to work," said Cox.

Bradley Jensen, 14, a new volunteer of the program, is anxious to start his new position working in the Cardiology department.

"I heard about this program from my mother who is also a volunteer with the BAMC Auxiliary," Jensen said.

"My dad works in the Cardiology department so I am excited to be working close to [him]."