Fall Update!

October Monthly Community Hours: 15

Cumulative Fall Semester Hours: 18 

It’s hard to believe we’re already past the halfway point of the semester! Classes continue to go well, though the exams have definitely become more challenging. The last module’s Principles lectures on electrophysiology, cardiac conduction, and the regulation of blood pressure and cardiac output were the most difficult for me, but I’m relieved that everything finally clicked. Our current CV module seems to build directly on that foundation, so I am glad I feel comfortable with the material. Overall, I’m very pleased with how the program has gone so far, though I’m definitely looking forward to the weeklong Thanksgiving break! (even if it means burying my head in my MCAT prep books...) 

For community service this month, I’ve continued volunteering with Freestanding Communities. We recently completed our classroom training, and I’m now back in the field every Wednesday morning at the Grace at the Greenlight health point clinic. It’s been so rewarding to return to a clinical setting after leaving my last job for graduate school. Providing even basic care, such as wound care, glucose checks, EKGs, and creating follow-up plans, has been very meaningful, especially for patients who might otherwise lack access to care. Our team also works to connect patients with appointments and clinicians throughout the city to help defragment their care. Many of our unhoused patients are very isolated and may not have another conversation with someone all day, so being able to spend time with them and offer the compassion, respect, and dignity that they deserve has been a very powerful experience.