Volunteer Work
Saint Vincent's Hospital
Over the summer of 2014, I started my first volunteer job at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. I was given two shifts, two different days of the week. On Tuesdays I worked on the 5th floor patient wing. This patient wing was where all the cancer patients were located. While volunteering I answered phone calls for patients and took care of their requests and needs. I also helped pass out lunch and worked closely with the nurses to aid them in patient rooms. On Thursdays I worked in the emergency room. While working in the emergency room, I aided the nurses and doctors with their needs. I also gave patients blankets and directed patients to their rooms. The most exciting part of my job was being able to take emergency phone calls from the ambulance. I would write down the vitals and other necessary information the doctors needed in order to prepare themselves for the incoming patient.
Moffitt
During spring 2016, I started my volunteer job at Moffitt Cancer Center and have been volunteering here ever since. My first volunteer job was working in the imagining center at the front desk. I provided patients with directions and answered any questions. I also was in charge of reading monitors and making sure patients understood what to do before their scan. During my semester volunteering at the front desk, I got to know the patients who come to Moffitt Cancer Center.
My next volunteer job assisted patients with their MRI scanning. I am stationed in the MRI where I assist patients with questions, aid patients moving from the waiting room to the MRI waiting area, and assist the technicians with anything they need. Two things I found most interesting about this experience are being able to interact with patients one on one and be able to watch the MRI as it is happening. I have had the opportunity to spend the last three years volunteering at the Moffitt Cancer Center on a weekly basis and have appreciated this wonderful opportunity to work with the staff and meet the patients.
Shadowing
Blood smears
During Spring 2018, I preformed research with Dr. Marc Lajeunesse, who is conducting an ecological study related to the diversity of parasites and herbivores at the University of South Florida. My research consists of investigating a correlation between the color of lizards and the likelihood of diseases. In my research, I will be blood smearing lizards and counting the number of white blood cells, along with checking for microscopic parasites.
Baptist South Primary Care
During summer 2016, I had the privilege to shadow my pediatrician that has been taking care of me since I was 3 years old in Jacksonville, Florida. During my shadowing experience, I followed the doctor around for 4 hours and saw what she sees at a day to day basis. I watched as she interacted with patients and took notes. I closely observed how she diagnosed and did check-ups on the children. It gave me a good outlook of how the patient-doctor relationship should be and how fast pace her job is.
Undergraduate Research