#theVIPExperience Post #47: Lauren Houshel

I first heard about the VIP program at Crossroad from one of my good friends giving a presentation about it and she sold me instantly. Learning about not only what the VIP program did, but the huge amount of other resources Crossroad offered was amazing. I didn’t know a place like this existed!

After hearing the statistics on people living in poverty in Cincinnati, I was shocked. I couldn’t believe the amount of people, living just a couple miles away, living paycheck to paycheck and trying to balance everything life throws at them. Furthermore, trying to find adequate healthcare for all members of the family is another struggle in itself.

This is why I wanted to be a part of Crossroad. I applied for the VIP program and thankfully got the opportunity to experience it! It was a really amazing experience and continues to be. Last rotation, when I started shadowing, I remember the doctor having to personally call specialists in the area to get help for a patient that needed seen urgently. She had an insurance that wasn’t very common and there were only two possibilities in the area, neither of which accepted new patients. She was finally able to find a physician willing to see her, but by then it had taken a couple of hours on the phone. This was a great eye-opening experience to start my first rotation as I really saw how difficult and frustrating this situation would be for a patient. This is why they needed VIPs to help alleviate this burden and I was so excited to take on the challenge.

Throughout my rotation, I realized how appreciated the VIPs truly are. I spoke with so many parents that were so grateful to get help for their child and not have to worry about making the appointment. My experience as a VIP has really shown me that I really am blessed. I have a roof over my head, food on the table, and accessible healthcare. I really take the bare necessities for granted sometimes. I hope to keep devoting my time and efforts to Crossroad and the underserved population in general. I have to remember that we’re all part of the same community and deserve the same opportunities and though we are far from equality, programs like this one are on the track to molding more empathetic future physicians and community members.

           

                                                                                                     -- Lauren Houshel