9/23/2012

This past week I have finally set up my volunteering to be completed at Ben Taub this semester. It was difficult to find a location to volunteer that had openings which fit my schedule, but working at the hospital provides more time flexibility with my schedule. I am very much looking forward to this experience. I will begin orientation and training this week.

In the recent past, I volunteered at Healthcare for the Homeless as clinic host volunteer. Though I knew this was a necessary function within the clinic, I was somewhat separated from the delivery-of-care aspect of the healthcare system. During slower times in the clinic, I would try to help as much as I could directly with patients, but those opportunities were too few and far between, unfortunately.

My hope from this experience is that I will be able to interact directly with patients to help provide for their care. My previous work in healthcare for the homeless was very rewarding. The thing that struck me the most throughout my experiences at HHH was the impact that even simple care and attention, things that we take for granted in every day life, can have when the chips are not in your favor. I loved working at HHH. 
 My only wish was that I could have been more directly involved, working side by side with the healthcare providers in order to see the healing touch that a physician can have on the life of another human being.

9/15/2012

This past week, I have visited HHH and submitted applications to San Jose Clinic and the Montrose Counseling Center. Nicole Harris at HHH informed me that they are presently full, this upcoming week I will continue to pursue other locations to volunteer.