I started volunteering at Crossroad Health
Center in the spring of my first year at UC. I heard Dr. O’Dea come in to talk
to a pre-health club meeting about her experiences with healthcare, and I heard
her talking about a sliding scale health clinic she worked at, and how they had
volunteer opportunities for students. I was intrigued; I had never had the chance
to really get to volunteer in under served populations in such a long-term way
before, and I knew that helping people is something that I am passionate about.
So, after emailing Dr. O’Dea, I applied and was accepted.
I didn’t have a very strong understanding
of what exactly a VIP did for Crossroad Health Center, so I really had no idea
what to expect. After spending 4 hours every week at Crossroad for two
semesters, I can confidently say that I truly love spending my time here and
getting the opportunity to help the patients. Our role at Crossroad is
exciting, fun, and sometimes difficult, but always incredibly fulfilling. The
patients that we work with are often incredibly busy and oftentimes very
overwhelmed. So, providing the seemingly small service of taking scheduling
referral appointments off their plate, and being a source to help them navigate
the healthcare system, we are able to help them a lot. Seeing how grateful they
are, and seeing them get the help that they need for whatever problem they had
is what makes volunteering as a VIP so rewarding.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a
VIP so far, and I am looking forward to continuing to be an advocate for
others, and working to make healthcare more accessible.
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