V. February's Odyssey

  -         Monthly Community Service Hours: 18

-         Spring Semester Community Service Hours: 18

Throughout the month of February. I have been consistently volunteering with the University Medical Center (UMC) in New Orleans, Louisiana. UMC is the only Level 1 trauma center in New Orleans, and my volunteering experience has been doing a great job at exposing me to different elements of healthcare and patient care. As a volunteer, I typically am placed in the Emergency or Oncology Department. My role while volunteering in the Emergency Department is to escort patients’ visitors to the correct room and assist with any non-clinical task that helps the department to run smoothly. In the Oncology Department, my role is to answer patient call lights and help to direct the patients’ concerns or needs to the correct healthcare professional and assist with any non-clinical task needed within the department to ensure that everything is up to date and moving properly.

Volunteering at UMC has given me invaluable hands-on exposure to the fast-paced nature of emergency medicine as well as the patient centered-care required in oncology. I have been able to witness firsthand how interdisciplinary teams work together to provide life-saving treatments and emotional support to patients and their families. These experiences have reinforced my passion for medicine and strengthened my commitment to becoming a physician.

Each shift presents new learning opportunities. This experience has been an inspiring reminder of why I chose this path, and I look forward to continuing to grow and learn from these experiences as I progress in my medical journey.

Since my January blog post, we have completed both the Endocrine and Neurology modules. Both modules were extremely informative in the treatments of conditions that loved ones of mine are currently experiencing. These modules have helped me to have a better understanding of the conditions and how each potential treatment works to help combat the condition. My favorite module out of the two would have to be the Neurology modules as I have a strong interest in neurological and muscular diseases. My favorite lectures would have to be on Local and General Anesthetics – as it is one of my specialties of interest, along with Sports Medicine Orthopedics and Dermatology. Anesthetics are essential in many treatments in healthcare and learning the mechanisms of these drugs were very essential.

Overall, February has been a reassuring and remarkable month. I have learned so much invaluable information and experiences this month through volunteering, the Pharmacology program, and simply getting older – especially since February is my birth month. As the month of February comes to a close and we began to celebrate Mardi Gras here in New Orleans, I am ecstatic about my journey and what is to come as I continue learning, growing, and exploring.

Joyeux Mardi Gras. Laissez les bons temps rouler!