I was initially unsure about joining this program due to my preconceived opinions on death and avoidance in topics surrounding death. I thought all doctors were to avoid death at all cost, and if this rule wasn’t abided, a doctor would be considered a failure. As it turned out, I was not the only person … Continue reading “Thoughts from a Hospice Volunteer”
Category: Athena Hospice Program
this is for posts in the category of Athena Hospice
What Patients Need Most: Empathy
This past summer after I was accepted into this program, I was on the other side of Hospice care. I watched one of my close cousins battle cancer and eventually she was put on hospice. Within just a week on hospice, she passed. After that, I was extremely nervous about doing this program because I … Continue reading “What Patients Need Most: Empathy”
Moments of Grace
As we played Evening Bells for “Jane”, I could see it touch her soul in a way words could not express, and tears begin to fall. “Jane”, in her late 90s, has a quiet strength and a deep love for music, particularly opera. Evening Bells is her favorite song—a piece that reminds her of simpler, … Continue reading “Moments of Grace”
How Volunteering in Hospice Transformed My Perspective
During my time volunteering in hospice care, I had the privilege of forming a meaningful relationship with one of my first patients, a former basketball coach. For the purposes of privacy protection, I’ll call him John. He was a warm and pleasant man, and our interactions developed into a bond similar to that of a … Continue reading “How Volunteering in Hospice Transformed My Perspective”
The Simplicity in Life’s Complexities
I have always been eager to learn, and I truly value how individual and unique the lives of humans are. We are all so complex and so beyond complete understanding of one another, so when I began my Hospice journey in September of 2024, I was most excited to sit down and hear of the … Continue reading “The Simplicity in Life’s Complexities”
Learning to Be Flexible
My most meaningful Hospice patient relationship was with my first one, who I will call Mary. Mary has been my patient throughout the entire time that I have been in the Athena Program. She has been my biggest lesson during my time as a hospice volunteer. When I first started in September, I was ready … Continue reading “Learning to Be Flexible”
An Eternal Experience
Becoming a volunteer through the Athena Institute Pre-Med Hospice Volunteer program has greatly shaped my approach to patient care as well as life in general. By meeting with hospice patients at a local nursing home, I have learned much from their experiences and have gained so many new perspectives. In the assignments and the reflection … Continue reading “An Eternal Experience”
Empathy and Gratitude Learned from Others
“John” was the first patient we met at the hospice center. On our first day, we were heading to meet the floor staff when we spotted “John” taking a stroll nearby. The staff introduced us to him, and he turned out to be a very energetic and lively man. He shared that he went boxing … Continue reading “Empathy and Gratitude Learned from Others”
A Lesson in Patient Care: More Than Just the Patient
Working in hospice has transformed the way I view patient care. When I first started, I assumed my primary responsibility would be to help the patient directly, but I quickly learned that my role extended beyond that. One patient, Mr. “Bennett” (name changed for privacy), deeply impacted me and shifted my understanding of what it … Continue reading “A Lesson in Patient Care: More Than Just the Patient”
An important lesson learned
The Athena Institute Hospice Program provided me with an invaluable opportunity for me to develop a wonderful relationship with a non-verbal patient. When our program director first introduced me to the gentlemen, all of the scenarios I had played in my head of what the interaction would look like went out the window. I had … Continue reading “An important lesson learned”