How We Produced a Healthcare Fellowship Video for a Non-Profit and Medical Partner
When Making Waves Academy partnered with Kaiser Permanente for a first-of-its-kind three-day healthcare fellowship, they knew it would be powerful. But no one could have predicted just how transformative it would be; for the students, for the professionals involved, and for us behind the camera.
This wasn’t your typical shoot. The goal was to tell a compelling story about a pilot fellowship designed to connect high school students with hands-on medical learning. But from the very beginning, I knew we weren’t just making a recap video. We were creating a strategic storytelling asset. One that would serve as both a legacy piece and a launchpad for future initiatives.
Here’s how my team and I approached this project, and why it’s one that will stick with me for a long time.
The Challenge: Uncharted Territory
Making Waves Academy had never done anything quite like this before. The vision for the fellowship was ambitious: bring students into Kaiser’s Richmond medical campus to explore careers in nuclear medicine, phlebotomy, and patient care. Over the course of three days, students would move from classroom learning to hands-on experience and finally to professional presentations.
Kaiser Permanente was equally invested. This program aligned with their workforce development goals and gave them a chance to build a more diverse, local talent pipeline. They needed this partnership to shine and the video needed to reflect that, authentically and powerfully.
As a creative team that specializes in video production for medical professionals and academic non-profits, we knew this was our zone.
Our Strategy: Planning a Narrative That Could Do It All
From day one, I worked with the Making Waves and Kaiser Permanente to get clear on what success looked like. This wasn’t just about showing what happened. It was about answering a deeper question:
Why does this matter, and how can video help amplify it?
We structured the shoot around a three-part arc:
Day 1: Foundation – Students engaged in classroom learning, diving into medical terminology and career paths.
Day 2: Immersion – This was the big one. Students practiced drawing blood on simulated arms, measuring vitals, and learning how to transport patients.
Day 3: Reflection – The final day focused on student presentations and career insights shared with Kaiser staff.
We filmed all three days with a blend of fly-on-the-wall observation and lightly guided interviews. It was important to me that the footage felt human and unscripted. My team focused on capturing real moments: students laughing during simulations, the quiet focus before presenting, the hands of mentors guiding students through delicate procedures.
Making Room for Real Stories
Every production team has its own style. Mine is rooted in trust, observation, and story structure.
I didn’t want to interrupt the flow of the program. So we stayed mobile, moved with the students, and let the moments come to us. And when we did step in for interviews, we kept it conversational. I asked students questions that helped them reflect, not recite. The goal was to make them feel seen, not put on the spot.
I still smile thinking about one student who said the IV simulation made her feel “accomplished” because she actually got “blood” to flow. Another talked about finding joy in pushing gurneys. It’s those little moments that make a story personal.
In post-production, we carefully wove these soundbites together with input from the Making Waves team. I worked directly with their Director of Marketing to align the language with their broader goals. This wasn’t just a video recap. It became a messaging tool for future partners and funders.
Capturing Expert Voices
I interviewed Pat O’Donnell, CEO of Making Waves, who shared the big-picture vision for the program:
“We want to build a bridge between education and employment. This fellowship was about helping students gain the skills and social capital they need to access high-wage careers they’re passionate about.”
From Kaiser’s side, Karen Wilson, a leader from their School of Allied Health Sciences, offered insight into why this mattered to their workforce goals:
“Students don’t always know that the healthcare field is so much bigger than being a doctor or nurse. This program showed them the wide range of entry points and gave them real, hands-on access.”
And perhaps most touching were the reflections from students like Yadira, who told me:
“This really boosted my confidence. I always wanted to go into healthcare, but after doing the IVs and everything hands-on, I feel way more sure.”
Our Creative Direction
What sets Kasey Bruce Media apart isn’t just our eye for the shot. It’s how we think ahead. I always ask my clients:
What will this video be used for six months from now? A year from now? How can we shape it to work long-term?
For this project, that meant delivering:
A polished 3-minute highlight film that could be shown at meetings, events, and community gatherings
Every cut, every clip was designed with multi-platform use in mind. Because when you invest in quality video, it should work hard for you and keep working long after the final scene.
Lessons We Carried Forward
Looking back, this project reminded me why I love what I do. It was fast-paced, people-centered, and driven by a clear mission. But it also required strategy, sensitivity, and adaptability.
Some takeaways that stood out for me:
Start with the end in mind – Knowing the messaging goals ahead of time helped us film more intentionally.
Plan for real moments – We didn’t storyboard every shot, but we left space for authentic interactions to unfold.
Build trust – Students and staff opened up because we approached them with care and respect. That always shows in the final product.
Why These Stories Matter
In today’s world, education and healthcare systems are under more pressure than ever. Programs like this one, rooted in equity, exposure, and empowerment, need to be seen. They need to be documented with heart and strategy.
That’s why I do this work.
When organizations like Making Waves and Kaiser take bold steps toward building opportunity, my team is here to help them share that story. Not just to celebrate what happened, but to lay the foundation for what comes next.
This video isn’t just content—it’s proof of what’s possible.
Ready to Tell Your Story?
If you’re a non-profit, school, or healthcare institution looking to document a meaningful program, attract future partners, or capture your impact in a way that resonates, Let’s Talk!
At Kasey Bruce Media, we specialize in mission-driven video storytelling with a cinematic edge and a strategic mind. You bring the vision. We’ll bring it to life.
📍 Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, serving California and beyond.
