With intern Kendall Mason, Lucy Corr has welcomed a future health care professional already learning what it means to lead with care, compassion, and kindness.

Kendall is enrolled in Monacan High School’s Health Professions and Therapies (HPT) specialty program, a rigorous academic track designed to immerse students early in therapeutic and preventive health careers. Through HPT, upperclassmen complete a structured mentorship or internship totaling 160 hours, often leaving school early several days a week to gain real-world experience.

For Kendall, finding the right placement didn’t come easily. After struggling to secure an internship, Kendall took the initiative to walk into Lucy Corr herself, introduce herself and ask how she could help. “I would love to help out wherever I can after school, even if that means sorting papers or cleaning,” she told staff at the time.

Kendall began by volunteering with Opening Minds through Art — a program supporting residents with dementia — and quickly made an impression. Before long, her curiosity and willingness to pitch in opened the door to a full internship experience. Since then, she has spent her time rotating through several areas of the community.

Early on, Kendall shadowed physical, occupational and speech therapists in the Lucy Corr Rehabilitation Center, part of the community’s Health Care Center. There, she observed treatments, helped transport residents and learned how interdisciplinary care works in real time. More recently, she has assisted with resident activities, interacting with them through conversation and creative programs.

Those interactions have become the heart of Kendall’s work at Lucy Corr. One moment in particular stands out: sitting down with a centenarian resident to offer a manicure. “It was so interesting for me hearing her life story, what she’d been through,” Mason said.

Beyond technical exposure, Kendall’s internship has also helped her grow personally. Naturally shy, she has used her time at Lucy Corr to strengthen her communication skills and confidence in professional settings.

“Having the opportunity to talk to residents and get myself out there, to practice how I would talk to a patient — it’s been really fun to learn,” Kendall said. “Working here, you need to be patient, empathetic and understanding. I always make sure to have a positive attitude and a smile on my face, even if I’m not having the best day.”

That mentality has caught residents’ attention. Many who work with Kendall on activities greet her with warm smiles and handshakes, saying they’re happy to see her.

Kendall plans to attend Hampton University in the fall as a pre-nursing major, with the long-term goal of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. She said she’d like to work in a fast-paced hospital environment “where my adrenaline will be up, where I can work under pressure to help people and save lives.”

As her internship continues toward the 160-hour mark, Kendall remains grateful for the opportunity she found at Lucy Corr. What began as a search for required hours has become an experience she wouldn’t trade.

“I love working here,” Kendall said. “I love the residents. I love the staff. Everything about the place is nice.”