Even though I am no longer planning on working in direct patient care, I find great value in my experiences this year in hospice care. Many of the skills I have learned from this experience have accumulated with each visit I made. Whatever path I choose, these values and skills will be at the forefront … Continue reading “My Growth in Healthcare”
School: Villanova
Time Is A Gift
I first met Peter who was a patient suffering from Parkinson’s Disease back in September. The first time I met Peter, I had extreme difficulty speaking to him and understanding the words he spoke. I remember, right after that visit, I had utterly convinced myself that Peter would be a difficult patient to visit and … Continue reading “Time Is A Gift”
Looking the Inevitable in the Eyes
Before I had even returned to school, I had instilled the idea of the “two unfixables” – these being, according to Atul Gawande, aging and dying – into my mind. I knew that signing up to be a hospice volunteer would place onto me heavy responsibilities, one of them being to accept the prevalence of … Continue reading “Looking the Inevitable in the Eyes”
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”
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”
Fly Eagles Fly – My experience at Daylesford Crossing
Overall, the pre-med hospice experience has been deeply impactful, as I have formed great connections with six patients, two of whom have since sadly passed away. Having had little personal experience with loss at this point in my life, these deaths were challenging and forced me to develop a new perspective on patient care and … Continue reading “Fly Eagles Fly – My experience at Daylesford Crossing”
The Gift of Time
There was one patient in particular that stood out to me, F. Our relationship grew over the time of my visits, and it got to the point where he remembered me and remembered things about me. This helped me gain a stronger bond because I felt connected to him. Visiting him quickly became the highlight … Continue reading “The Gift of Time”
Cherry Pie and Compassion: The Transformative Power of Hospice Volunteering
I sat at the Thanksgiving table with my family and friends, appreciating the full table of dishes and desserts in front of me. The laughter and conversation bounced around the room, filling my heart with memories of togetherness that I continue to cherish. However, one particular dish stood out to me: cherry pie. This dessert … Continue reading “Cherry Pie and Compassion: The Transformative Power of Hospice Volunteering”
In The Face of Loss: Where Little Wins Make The Biggest Difference
When I first joined this program, I had been learning how to cope with my grandfather’s transition into a nursing home. His dementia had been rapidly progressing and I watched his mental decline grow worse alongside my family with each subsequent visit. Coming into this program, I had some prior experience with patients in nursing … Continue reading “In The Face of Loss: Where Little Wins Make The Biggest Difference”