As the school year comes to a close, many of the dedicated undergraduate volunteers will be leaving. Some have been with the UCI Outreach Clinic for a year, others for three or more. Regardless, they have made a lasting impact not only on the Outreach Clinic, but also on the patients they have provided for. Here, they share some of their experiences.
Jessica Hernandez, Nursing Coordinator
I began as a nursing student volunteer at UCIOC the summer after my sophomore year. Having no previous background in a hospital or clinical setting, volunteering at UCIOC was extremely helpful in that I was exposed to vitals screenings and the importance of patient education. The summer after my junior year, I applied for the position as nursing coordinator to continue providing opportunities for nursing students. I was able to introduce the foundation of initial assessments to incoming nursing volunteers and ensure they had the opportunity to grow confident in their abilities as I had the past year.
Volunteering at the clinic has been one of the most rewarding and humbling experiences during my time at UCI. Not only was I able to coordinate opportunities for learning and classroom application to those in the nursing program, but also collaborate with passionate undergraduates and medical students to provide care to those with few resources.
Nicole Quang, Labs and Dispensary
I’ve been with UCIOC for a year. As a volunteer, I never thought about myself as a volunteer. I removed myself from thinking of my position and placed trust in my colleagues to do what we do best: serve the underserved and learn more through medicine. Being with UCIOC taught me the greatest skill I could ever apply in healthcare: interpersonal relations. Without UCIOC, I most likely would not understand how different professions could work together so diligently and respectfully.
[One of my favorite memories is helping with the] Diabetes Clinic. Oh gosh, that day is crazy! It is amazingly fun, interactive, and most of all, requires 120% undivided attention. Everyone is there, ready to see patients and educate them about their health. It is an unforgettable experience that I will carry with me throughout the years for sure.
I am leaving UCIOC to attend California Northstate University College of Pharmacy for four years and planning on a year of residency afterward. UCIOC gave me the experience of a lifetime. At first, all I thought a pharmacist could do was retail, but after UCIOC, I found out that I am able to work in different environments such as hospice, small clinics, and hospitals. UCIOC enlightened me on how to communicate well with doctors, students, nurses and educators- something that I learned in my pharmsci class at UCI. In order to really change the way medicine today is applied, I know that we have to work together towards prevention. UCIOC and my pharmsci classes really taught me that. I cannot wait to see how UCIOC grows into a major player in undergraduate life!
Becky Nguyen, Floor Manager
I have been with UCIOC for 4 years since my freshman year of undergrad. Being part of a group determined to give back to the underserved community has been the most rewarding. Volunteering at the clinic has not only helped me reaffirm my goals to pursue medicine, but has strengthened my grasp on human compassion and suffering. As a floor manager and board member, I have developed key leadership skills which I believe will enable me to achieve my future endeavors. Working alongside physicians such as Dr. Dow has been both encouraging and inspiring.
Naziha Hussain, Labs and Dispensary
I have been with UCIOC for a little over a year and it has been such a fun and rewarding experience. Becoming a labs and dispensary volunteer, I was able to witness first hand the health issues underprivileged communities dealt with. I saw the impact that volunteers had on patients and how we could simply change a person’s life by diagnosing them with the proper disease and preparing them with the right medication for their needs. Lifting health burdens off the patients was a rewarding experience and I am grateful I was given this opportunity.
I remember the first time when I was listening in on a consult with a MS1 and a resident. They were discussing the health of a patient and some possible causes of the symptoms. They allowed me to put my input in from the classes I took, and I diagnosed the patient with GERD. The resident told me I was correct! I was so excited to have finally applied what I had learned in the textbook to the patient. This is a teaching clinic and great opportunity for all the pre-health students to get first hand exposure.
After I graduate, I will be moving up north to attend pharmacy school in the fall. Volunteering at the UCIOC helped me realize my future aspirations. I want to eventually open up my own clinic with diagnosing patients and giving free medications for those in need. Providing free healthcare is invaluable and something I want to continue as I grow older.
Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers, and good luck in your future in endeavors.
Questions and comments about this article can be sent to Brianna Miner at minerb@uci.edu.
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