I am proud to be able to reflect on my time volunteering at the Hospeace House, where I was able to dedicate six weeks to helping with its mission. This experience has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.
During my time at the Hospeace House, I was provided with a well-rounded experience where I learned many aspects of patient care, communication in a medical facility, working as a team, and maintaining a home. Since I am planning on becoming a physician, one of my key roles at the home was residential care. The amazing volunteers and nurses carried out medical training for all the student volunteers. This gave me the opportunity to give medications routinely and sign off/note the corresponding documents. This was an amazing thing that many people do not get to experience before they attend a medical institution.
My volunteer work also gave me the opportunity to collaborate with many amazing volunteers and learn all about them and why they do what they do. By working with the volunteers, I was reminded of how important teamwork and communication is in a place like hospice care. In an emotionally difficult line of volunteering like hospice care, it is important to take advantage of these relationships as a chance to debrief from the passing of a resident as well as assist the family of the resident through their grieving process.
Before I came to the Hospeace House, I rarely discussed death because of the societal fear that comes along with it. Now, I am eager to discuss the process of death as it is a part of life. The Hopeace House taught me how peaceful a passing can be and the ideal that nobody should pass alone. There is something so beautiful about the vulnerability that comes along with death and the empathy that all of the volunteers at the Hospeace House are able to provide for the residents.
Overall, my experience at the Hospeace House is one that I am so thankful to have completed. I am grateful to have learned aspects of patient care, empathy, and compassion in an area that is not discussed in society. I am confident that this experience has helped my personal understanding of myself as well as shaped my professional career path in only positive ways.