Week 3

This week at the Legacy Clinic I filed papers again in Medical Records. It was a really stressful day for them because someone had pulled files when they weren't supposed to and it was somewhat chaotic. But as I was filing paperwork, it really started making me think. At the Legacy Clinic, many patients have HIV/AIDS and are there getting treatments for it. I have of course heard that HIV/AIDS is affecting many people, but I guess I never really realized how prevalent it actually is. I have learned about it in class and on the news and things like that, but never truly thought that it was a big deal in such a well developed country/city where we live. This really made me think about the fact that I have no idea where people are coming from when I see them on the street or in a the grocery store. I don't know what problems they have had to deal with in past few days or even hours. It made me realize that I want to be able to be more aware of my actions toward people, even if it is simply saying good morning or smiling at them as they walk by. I know it may not sound like it's a big deal, but I know that if I was having a terrible day and someone smiled at me or held open a door for me, it would mean a lot. That's kind of a random tangent, but when I see the patients in the waiting room at Legacy, I can't help but wonder what they're going through and the trials they are going through in their lives. In some tiny way, I want to make their day a better one because I have no clue as to what they are feeling. It's my goal to become better at putting myself into other peoples' shoes and try to make their day just a little bit better.

Week 2

Monday, September 17, 2012
Today I went to the Legacy Clinic again and volunteered for about 2 hours. I went last week on Wednesday as well and worked in medical records. It seems like they really need the help filing paperwork/lab results in the patients' files. I talked to Ashley Turner, who is in charge of volunteers, today because she wasn't there last week. She said when I go back next week she is going to get me all of the volunteer timesheet paperwork since she wasn't there on Wednesday to give it to me. In medical records, I am working for a man named Ford who is really nice. I'm really enjoying the work even though it is only filing papers under certain patient numbers haha. I'm just glad that I can help. Another lady who works there, Vera, introduced herself to me today. She thanked me for volunteering because she said they really need the help. I'm going to continue to go on Monday mornings to volunteer and hopefully keep helping with whatever they need. Watch for my blog next week!

Week 1

Monday, September 10, 2012

Today I went down to Legacy Community Health Services and signed all of the necessary paperwork to start volunteering there. I met with Ashley Turner, who is in charge of the volunteering there. She is a really sweet lady and explained to me all what all of the paperwork meant and what I will be doing when I volunteer. I am going to be dealing with medical records and whatever else they need help with. I'm looking forward to volunteering there because I've never volunteered at a medical clinic. I have always worked at a veterinary clinic, so this is going to be a new experience for me. I am going back on Wednesday at 10am to actually start my hours!