From Intern to Information Security Analyst

Zach Frank seizes opportunity in moving from student to full-time staffer

Career transformations often begin with a spark of opportunity, and for one student, that spark ignited a journey into healthcare cybersecurity. While studying at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), Zach Frank discovered his passion for information security. This newfound focus led him to Mary Greeley Medical Center, where an internship became the foundation of his professional success.

Zach’s connection with Mary Greeley began at a DMACC career fair, where a conversation with Roger Parker, Mary Greeley’s Chief Information Officer, and Ben Schmidt, Chief Information Security Officer, opened the door to a new possibility.

"I was drawn to the idea of helping to protect a healthcare facility," Zach says. "Meeting Roger and Ben solidified that this was the place where I could make a difference."

As an intern in Mary Greeley’s program, Zach was immediately immersed in meaningful, hands-on work—a hallmark of the program that is supported financially by the Mary Greeley Foundation.

"I was surprised at how much trust and responsibility I was given right away," he says. "I worked on critical projects like improving security awareness and measuring vulnerabilities. It was immediately hands-on and impactful."

Delivering Real World Experience

In 2024, the internship program hosted 27 students across 14 departments, providing real-world experience in a variety of roles. This initiative is part of the medical center’s larger commitment to building a strong healthcare workforce through Foundation-supported programs like scholarships, continuing education, and practical experiences.

Zach’s story exemplifies this commitment. With the support of his supervisors and colleagues, he transitioned from an intern to a full-time Information Security Analyst while completing his degree.

"Mary Greeley is incredibly supportive of education," he says. "They’ve provided flexibility and encouragement to help me finish my coursework while growing professionally."

The impact of the Mary Greeley Foundation’s support extends beyond individual success stories. It’s part of a broader strategy to enhance the hospital’s mission and serve the community.

"When donors invest in internships, they’re directly contributing to the hospital’s mission," Zach says. "They’re building a pipeline of skilled professionals who are passionate about serving the community."

A Transformative Experience

For Zach, this internship has been transformative—most notably that it has led to permanent employment in the Information Technology department at Mary Greeley. As an Information Security Analyst, he focuses on risk management, cybersecurity education, and incident response—critical roles in protecting Mary Greeley’s systems and ensuring patient data security.

But the benefits of the program are not limited to participants like Zach. The program plays an integral role in boosting the medical center and the community it serves.

“We’re building a workforce that’s not only skilled but deeply connected to Mary Greeley’s mission,” says Melissa McGarry, Executive Director of the Mary Greeley Foundation. “This is how we ensure exceptional care for generations to come.”

If you’d like to support the next generation of healthcare professionals, visit mgmc.org/foundation/donate to make a gift.