The Explainer Program

The Explainer Program was created by Montefiore Medical Center in 2001, as a way to engage patients and their families about the state of the art technology available at the bedside of each patient.

Explainers are assigned to visit with all patients to familiarize them with how to use our interactive patient care system available in each patient room and in some clinics. The mission of the program is to afford high school and college youth, from the Bronx and surrounding areas, with opportunities to work in a professional healthcare environment.

Over the years, more than 75 Explainers have come through the program. These Explainers are part of a mentorship program Montefiore offers to help them build careers through development workshops, resume writing, professional interview role playing and career placement. To date, 100% of Explainers who enrolled in the program while in high school have obtained their high school diploma and are either in pursuit of a college degree or have obtained an undergraduate or graduate level degree. Explainers have gone on to a variety of careers, many within the healthcare field.

In 2010, GetWellNetwork was installed in the Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM).  This innovative interactive patient care system engages the patient, family and healthcare providers as a team in the healthcare experience. 

Through the GetWellNetwork, clinicians can use interactive educational healthcare videos to promote the patient’s understanding of their healthcare experience. Patients can use both the educational and entertainment aspects of the system to stay engaged and connected to their experience promoting the healing process. Patients and families can use customer service features that enhances the comfort of their stay. The Explainers promote utilization of this system with daily rounding explaining how to navigate through the various aspects of the system.

Through the combination of state of the art technology, which improves the health of the patient, and youth employment in jobs that expand skill sets and start youth out on career paths, the Explainer Program truly embodies the mission of Montefiore to heal, to teach, to discover and to advance the health of the communities we serve.