#theVIPExperience Post #34: Kasie Feck

I began my experience with Crossroad Health Center shadowing Dr. Wilson at the Harrison ­location. I was impressed by Dr. Wilson and her attitude towards her patients; she made me really excited to a part of Crossroad. I think her ability to connect with her patients made them comfortable and as a result, made the whole appointment more effective. I have been happy to gain knowledge by observing and communicating with the doctors and nurses at Crossroad.

My experience as a volunteer intern may be a little different from the other interns at Crossroad. I work on the Spanish Referral Team, and frequently communicate with patients in Spanish. I am not a native Spanish speaker, everything I know about the language has been gained through class and a short study abroad. I was nervous to use my Spanish in a clinical setting, even though I have been studying it for many years. Now that I am in my second rotation, I am very comfortable speaking with patients to schedule appointments and to help with financial aid. Being a volunteer has not just helped me gain knowledge of the referral process, but it has also given me more confidence in my ability to communicate with native Spanish speakers.

I think that all of our jobs as volunteer interns are needed and appreciated. The medical system can be hard for anyone to understand and navigate regardless of if they can speak English or not. Nevertheless, I think my job on the Spanish Referral Team is particularly important. The patients I work with face many disadvantages, a lot of them stem stack from a lack of communication. These patients need the Spanish Referral Team to help set up translators, sign up for financial aid and to schedule appointments. I am very happy that I have been a part of the process that helps them receive the care that they need. Over the last couple of months I feel like I have become not only more fluent, but also more aware of the barriers that Spanish speakers face.

I think it is very important for pre-health students to try to understand different languages and cultures so that we can be better doctors at a larger, more diversity community. As I end my second rotation, I will be recommending this internship to the pre-medical students and Spanish students at Miami University.

                                                                                                              -- Kasie Feck