Medical Unit Intern

Job Description

About the ABC News Medical Unit & This Opportunity

Embark on an unparalleled journey with the ABC News Medical Unit, a dynamic and interdisciplinary team comprised of expert journalists, seasoned scientists, and dedicated medical doctors. This specialized unit is the bedrock of all health and medical reporting across the entire ABC News network, delivering vital information to millions daily through platforms like World News Tonight with David Muir, Good Morning America, Nightline, The View, Tamron Hall, ABC News Digital, ABC News Audio, and our extensive network of affiliated stations in all 50 states.

The team is at the forefront of medical journalism, actively pitching groundbreaking story ideas, providing essential editorial guidance, and meticulously writing, editing, and producing content that shapes public understanding of health and science.

This is a full-time, immersive six-month internship opportunity, based in the vibrant New York City metropolitan area, running from June 2026 through January 2027.

What You Will Do – An Immersive Learning Experience

An internship with the ABC News Medical Unit offers a truly hands-on, behind-the-scenes experience. You will gain invaluable exposure in the office, collaborate in the edit room, and even learn on set with a team dedicated to reporting potentially life-changing health news to the nation.

You will have the unique chance to work side-by-side with top health and medical journalists, translating your classroom knowledge into real-world impact. This role is designed to build upon your academic skills by challenging you to deliver critical context and compelling content for ABC News’s flagship programs, including Good Morning America and World News Tonight.

As a crucial member of our team, you will play a vital role in ensuring the entire ABC News network remains clear, accurate, and ahead of the curve on every major medical story. Your work will support our mission to rigorously track fast-moving scientific developments, identify important health trends, and guarantee that every report is delivered with the right context and unwavering clarity. If selected for this highly competitive role, you will report directly to the Executive Producer of the ABC News Medical Unit.

On Any Given Day You Might

• Review embargoed scientific studies and synthesize complex findings into clear, accurate, and concise summaries for internal use and potential reporting.
• Craft fast-paced, engaging medical scripts tailored for our affiliate stations, ensuring rapid dissemination of critical health news.
• Prepare critical “curbside notes” that provide essential guidance and context for network reporters, ensuring accuracy and depth in broadcast segments.
• Rigorously review content before publication or broadcast to confirm absolute accuracy and appropriate context, safeguarding ABC News’s reputation.
• Attend high-profile meetings and press conferences on key medical issues, gathering real-time information directly from experts.
• Provide essential support for daily reporting needs, contribute to longer-term research projects, and engage in invaluable on-set learning experiences to assist our on-air talent.

Required Qualifications & Skills – Your Foundation for Success

We are seeking candidates who possess:

• A demonstrable high interest and insatiable curiosity for health and medical topics, indicating a passion for the field.
• Exceptional research and writing skills, coupled with the critical ability to translate complex medical information into clear, accessible, and accurate language for a broad audience.
• The proven capacity to fact-check quickly and maintain impeccable accuracy under intense, tight deadlines inherent in a news environment.
• Strong interview skills with the ability to ask informed, insightful questions and synthesize fast-moving information effectively.
• Excellent organizational skills, demonstrating the ability to efficiently juggle multiple assignments and priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced setting.
• A genuine interest in broadcast news and a proactive willingness to rapidly learn news-related workflows and production processes.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills – Added Advantages

Ideal candidates may also bring:

• Familiarity with prominent medical journals, public health agencies, and best practices in science communication.
• Prior experience writing or producing content for broadcast or digital news platforms.
• A previous internship or hands-on experience in health, science, or medical reporting.

Education – Academic Preparation

• Applicants in their Junior or Senior year of college are preferred.
• A major or previous coursework in public health, journalism, data journalism, communication, or another science-related topic is preferred, demonstrating relevant academic background.

Eligibility Requirements & Program Information – Essential Criteria

Candidates for this exceptional opportunity MUST meet all of the following non-negotiable requirements:

• Be currently enrolled in an accredited college/university pursuing a degree, taking at least one class at the time of application, OR currently participating in a Disney College Program or Disney Internship.
• Current Disney Interns, College, International, or Culinary Program Participants: Please note that you may only work for ONE consecutive year (12 months) in any combination of an internship and/or program.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Possess unrestricted work authorization in the United States.

Additional Information – Practical Considerations

• Availability: You must be able to maintain a consistent, reliable work schedule throughout the internship, primarily Monday – Friday, 9 AM-5 PM, ET, and be available during other hours to respond to urgent news requests as needed.
• Housing: You will be responsible for providing your own housing for the entire duration of the internship program within the New York City metro area.
• Transportation: You must be able to provide or have reliable transportation to and from work, which can include utilizing mass transit options in NYC.

Materials Required – Your Application Checklist

• A portfolio review is absolutely required for this position. For your application to receive full consideration, you MUST include a direct link to your portfolio on your résumé. Applications submitted without a portfolio link on the résumé will be considered incomplete and may not be fully considered for the position. Please visit our support site for additional information on portfolio requirements.

Compensation & Benefits

The pay rate for this impactful role in New York City is $22.50 per hour. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. To learn more about our comprehensive benefits offerings, please visit: [https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits](https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits).