During my hospice volunteering experience, the patient relationship that stood out to me the most was with a man I will call “John,” who I visited in Haverford. “John” was originally from Baltimore, which is also where I am from, so from our very first conversation we were able to make meaningful connections through shared places and memories. Hearing his stories about Baltimore made our conversations feel especially personal and familiar. Beyond that, “John” loved cooking and took great pride in his time as a chef. One of his favorite things to do during our visits was ask us to bring a notepad and pen so he could write down different soup recipes for us to try making. He spoke about cooking with such enthusiasm that it was impossible not to smile while listening. Because I visited him frequently, our conversations became light-hearted and lively. “John” loved telling stories and most of them ended with us laughing together. These visits were some of the most enjoyable and meaningful moments of my hospice experience.
Through my time with “John,” I learned to appreciate the simple things in life. Something as simple as talking about his cooking brought him so much joy, and he could talk about it for long periods of time with a genuine smile on his face. Seeing how much happiness he found in something so simple reminded me of the small things in life that make me smile but that I often overlook because of everyday stress. It also taught me to truly appreciate the value of company. Sitting with “John” felt easy and rewarding. It made me reflect on how often I spend time with my own friends and family while distracted by everything else I have going on. Watching how much he valued genuine conversation reminded me to be more present and to enjoy the time I have with the people around me.
My experiences visiting “John” also helped me better understand how to connect with hospice patients. I learned that if you find something they are truly passionate about, it is helpful to focus on that topic because it often brings them comfort and joy. For “John,” that passion was cooking. Talking about his recipes allowed him to share a part of his identity that was important to him. I also learned that sometimes patients do not have the energy to talk, and in those moments simply being present matters most. On days when “John” was very tired, we would sit quietly together. However, he would still give us a reassuring smile that showed he appreciated the company. Even that small gesture felt incredibly rewarding and reinforced how important the simplest human connection can be.
Throughout my hospice volunteering experience, I have also learned a lot about myself. I have always been someone who likes to take control of situations so that I can ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible. However, working with hospice patients has taught me that not everything will go according to plan, and that is okay. I initially expected every visit to involve long conversations, but I quickly realized that each day and each patient is different. Sometimes the most meaningful thing I can offer is simply my presence. This perspective aligns with ideas presented in the Being Mortal documentary, which emphasizes that at the end of life, people often value dignity and comfort more than anything else. Through hospice volunteering, I have started to understand that compassionate care is not about fixing every problem but about supporting people in the moments that matter most.
This program has strengthened my desire to pursue a career in medicine by showing me the importance of empathy and patience in patient care. My experiences have reminded me that medicine is not only about treating illness but also about understanding the person behind it. Hospice volunteering has helped me grow both personally and professionally, and it has reinforced my commitment to becoming a doctor who values human connection just as much as clinical skill.