Health Outreach Quality Improvement Program

What experiences (volunteer or paid) contributed to your interest in the field of public health?

My profession allowed me to built close relationships with Emergency Room physicians. I have several mentors which guide me through the path of medicine. Physicians educate me about the bases of medicine and important procedures. By example, ER Physicians illustrate the gratification of medicine. I constantly witness the compassion and professionalism of the doctors, which brings me closer to medicine. As time progressed I have experience the type of gratification I was use to appreciate as a bystander.

When I first arrived to volunteer at the facility of Crestview, I did not imagine to acquire all the advice given to me by the elders that reside there. Our goal with this project was to go every monday morning and paint the residents nails. Also we got to visit with them and learn from their experiences. It wasn't just about serving, but it was about gaining the knowledge we ourselves did not know. Every now and then my group and I would go around delivering items to the patients that are not as active. It was just exciting to see how some patients reacted to us being there, they really enjoyed our company.

However, if the health sector and the population want to achieve well-being through the new programs that have been implemented, it is necessary to support these initiatives with scientific evidence and with an appropriate quality management, to accomplish certain requirements and to reach positive health outcomes. In this sense, one may well wonder, what it is quality management in health promotion? (Ruckstuhl, Kolip & Gutzwiller, 2001)

Since last year, I have volunteered at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit and until recently the Emergency Room. My time there has brought to my attention the more unpleasant side of medicine. Whether escorting patients or attending to their needs, I noticed that many of them were quiet and avoided eye contact. Several of the doctors spoke to and treated these patients in a brute manner which I found quite upsetting. These sick or injured patients were worried and scared, and were served with the promise that no one would be turned away. Yet many were silent as they were afraid of “bothering” the doctors. In spite of this, I did my best giving patients some peace of mind by just spending a few moments of my time to chat and to listen their needs as liasion and support. Seeing them smile and at ease has shown me that I have done my job but more

As a health care provider, it is very interesting to meet and talk to people from every walk of life and different backgrounds. I have the privilege to interact with them and discuss their health issues on a daily basis. However, I feel that I’m lucky to be in a position where I can learn from my patients and their families. There are many teachable incidents that happen to me when

I wanted to get a feel for medicine so I decided to volunteer at the Palos Heights Community Hospital. I would see patients every Saturday. Whether they were lethargic or active, I was ready to start a conversation with them. The patients and I would sit in the room and talk about their childhoods and what their goals in life were. I was enthralled learning about each and every one of them and their life experiences. Even Donna Malec, who was the volunteer coordinator, was amazed with my craze of medicine. After this experience, I learned a lot more of what it takes to be a

The human pain and vulnerability that lie behind the cases in the ER were not real to me until they were right in front of me. They were not real until I saw a doctor trying her best to explain the necessary medical procedures as the patient in front of her screamed, cursed, and seemingly wrestled with the invisible. They were not real until a woman cried in front of me while she explained the unfortunate betrayal that brought her to the ER. They were not real until I saw a doctor bow his head on his desk only to immediately muster the energy to move on to the next case. Although medicine had always been a career path I intended to follow, my time in the ER made my desire to become a physician concrete. Through my experience I realized the strong intersection of social and medical issues in a doctor’s everyday work. The realization of the social impact that a doctor can have is what has truly motivated me to stay on this path.

At this clinic, I was able to intern for six months as a researcher at a project assessing health outcomes in low-income diabetics who receive nutrition classes and healthy food. I also volunteered at the Oncology department of a Hospital for 8 months. I was an intern for two different public health studies in San Diego, CA related to physical activity and weight loss. These volunteer and internship experiences have contributed for me to learn more about the community’s needs and to reassure my interest in public health. These opportunities have not only given me experience that I now use in my work as a research assistant at a public health study and that I will continue to use professional and personal lives. From learning to listen more effectively, to demonstrating awareness of others’ needs and feelings. I have learned about compassion and socio-cultural factors that have allowed me to have a greater perspective, appreciation and respect for multiple dimensions of diversity. These opportunities have allowed me to met people from different backgrounds, life experiences and needs which helped me about my responsibilities to society locally, nationally, and

In addition to my clinical activities, I went back to school to enroll in the required pre-requisite courses to confirm that I have the academic interest and discipline required to be successful in medical school. I have found myself excited and interested in the material, and as a result I have become a more diligent and effective student. I have enrolled in several competitive courses beyond what is required for entry into medical school, and I have been able to maintain my enthusiasm in each subsequent

Most of my community outreach experience began when I worked for the local church in Tyler, Texas. Assisting the Senior

I volunteered at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Pennsylvania, to shadow Dr. Krystal Ascencio, an Obstetrician- Gynecologist. I watched as she performed caesarean sections, and even an episiotomy to expedite a challenging vaginal delivery and ensure the safety of both mother and child. It was through shadowing her and other doctors that I further understood a physician’s great responsibility and the importance of making efficient and well-educated decisions. I witnessed the assertiveness in their decision-making and the compassion they had towards caring for their patients. I saw patients rely on and look to doctors for advice, treatment and reassurance. I witnessed how the privilege of working directly with patients requires sacrifice and dedication. I knew I had to be a part of this wonderful field where I would have the opportunity to treat patients and positively impact their health, but my resolve was further strengthened with my mother's illness.

I volunteered in Pakistani Doctors Group Free Medical Camp, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, about a year and a half ago where I got the chance to help where I could and observe the dentists who I was working with. It was a great opportunity as I dealt with different kinds of patients with various diseases. I especially enjoyed treating children according to my capabilities. I was also a part of Multicultural and HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) during High School which taught me that how much team effort is actually important as we all worked together, whether it be planning something or raising funds for something

I learned that there is not only one standard way to do things in the medical field. This matters to me due to the “mistreatment” I have received in hospitals. It also matters to me because I plan to become a family physician and it is essential that I know the proper way to treat my patients at the right time.

Both of my parents are physicians, and during my childhood, I tagged along with them to the rural health center where they worked as dedicated physicians. Watching them, intently listen to patients ' problems and address them, I gained profound insight into the healing relationship between patients and doctor/healer. I had the opportunity to lead patients to their respective departments and while on the way listen to their problems which not only nurtured the compassionate person in me, but also exposed me to a new medical problem every day, which I had no conviction of at that