Week 6 of Volunteering for Molecular Biology

March 23


After a few weeks off of volunteering because I was in Italy, it was good to be back at Casa Juan Diego. When I first arrived, there was actually a bit of a confrontation. Another one of the volunteers and I arrived at the same time, and we walked into the clinic to set up, as the lady in charge began taking information from the people in line. One woman in the line started yelling at us very aggressively in Spanish--it was a little bit scary because I had no idea what she was saying. It turns out that she was telling us not to cut in line because she thought that we were at the clinic for treatment. At first I was kind of offended because she had been so rude, but then I realized that it was actually kind of sad because it demonstrated how truly desperate for healthcare she was. 


This ordeal also served as a reminder of the situations that people come from. I have always had access to healthcare and a way to pay for it, but when I am a doctor it will be important to remember how little some people have, but that they also need to be cared for. 


The rest of the morning was relatively uneventful. There was not too much for me to do, which always makes me feel kind of bad because I can't help more since I do not speak Spanish. 

Week Five of Volunteering for Molecular Biology

March 2


This week was very busy at Casa Juan Diego! In addition to the two doctors who always come, the endocrinologist who comes once every other month came to the clinic, which meant that we had almost twice the number of patients as we normally do, so things were very busy. 


There are many patients who come to Casa Juan Diego who have diabetes, so this doctor works closely with them to help improve their quality of life and help the  learn how to live with the disease, in addition to giving them general check ups. 


It is sometimes sad because we have to turn people away if more than 15 patients show up today, simply because of the time constraints. The doctor's nurse always accompanies the doctor because she is eager to work with the patients on answering questions, and helping them learn how to eat and care for their disease.


It really stood out to me that this doctor took the time to teach a class about living with Diabetes. Again, this reminds me of the type of doctor that I want to be one day. Not simply a healer, but someone who views her patients as people with real problems and whole lives that need to be cared for. 

Week Four of Volunteering for Molecular Biology

February 24

Once again, I woke myself up bright and early to go volunteer. This week was busy when I first arrived, trying to get all of the medical records ready for the doctors' arrival. After about 30 minutes of working very hard, there was nothing left for me to do. Sometimes one of the most discouraging parts of volunteering is when I am standing there with nothing left to do. I feel guilty at times because of my lack of ability to communicate with the patients, due to the language barrier.


The volunteers do sometimes tell me why the patients are visiting the clinic. The ailments range from very minor to extremely major, and sometimes the patients even have to be sent to the Emergency Room because their conditions are too extreme for the volunteer doctors to deal with. I am always so aware of the fact that these people must have very touching stories, but I am unable to talk to them and find out. 


This week pushed me more and more toward the inclination to take at least one semester of Spanish, even though language is no longer a requirement at UST. Even though I will be no where near fluent, I think increasing my communication abilities just a little bit would be very beneficial to my future career as a doctor in Texas. Also, if I knew a little bit of Spanish, I would have more to do when things get less busy at Casa Juan Diego!

Week Three of Volunteering for Molecular Biology

On February 17 I contemplated skipping volunteering because I was so tired, but I am very glad that I made myself get out of bed and go! Many of the other volunteers were unable to make it this week, so I was much more necessary than usual! The other girl who was there and I were rushing to get all of the medical records ready. The doctors who come to the clinic are there completely voluntarily. Their ministry is so admirable, so it is important to us to make sure that everything is ready when they arrive and they don't have to wait for us. 


The number of patients that we can see at the clinic depends on how many doctors show up. Sometimes one doctor shows up and other times it is two. On this day we had a lot of patients, and we were unsure if one or two doctors were going to come. Because we had a lot of patients, we were very much hoping that both doctors showed up so that we didn't have to turn any of the patients today.


The other girl actually lives at the Catholic Worker House, and she was noticeably upset when she considered the possibility of having to tell up to 10 patients that they could not be seen. Her care and concern for the patients was very inspirational to me. Sometimes it is easy to think of patients as patients first, rather than as people first. This girl's concern centered me and reminded me of how important it is to always remember that the patients are people. 


Both doctors showed up and we were able to help everyone. It was a very successful week!

Week Two of Volunteering for Molecular Bio

When I went to Casa Juan Diego on February 10, it was pouring down rain!


There were barely any patients at the clinic on this day. The patients wait outside of the clinic starting at around 3am, so it is understandable that not that many wanted to wait so long in the rain and the cold. What really tugged at my heart was the fact that there were still around 10 patients who did wait all that time in the bad weather. 


I cannot imagine waiting in the rain and cold for hours just to receive medical care. I am so blessed not to have to experience this. Every time I volunteer at the clinic I am reminded that when I am actually in the healthcare profession I need to make sure to do something, anything, to help with the problem of access to healthcare. 


The attitudes of the patients even after waiting in the bad weather for so long are always so positive. Even though I'm really tired on Fridays after waking up early to volunteer, I always try to maintain a good attitude because my 'suffering' is non-existent compared to those whom I am serving. 

Week One of Volunteering for Molecular Biology

Hello again! I have gotten behind on blogging, but since I will be missing a few weeks, my blogs and post dates will just have to be a little incongruous for a few weeks.


Well, I continued volunteering at Casa Juan Diego up until Christmas, but after the holiday I took a few weeks off. However, starting on Feb 2 I was back at the waking up at 5:45am on Friday mornings!


For Molecular Biology we have another service learning project, so I will be continuing to volunteer at Casa Juan Diego (almost) every Friday morning. 


February 2:


It felt great to be back at the clinic! I had missed all of the Catholic Workers and other volunteers who make every thing run smoothly on Fridays. I have been to the clinic enough times now to actually start recognizing some of the returning patients. I never fail to be amazed by their smiles. I cannot even begin to imagine what their lives are like, but their attitudes never seem to cease being positive. It is absolutely inspirational.


There were three doctors at the clinic this morning. It was a great reminder that when I am a doctor, I must always remember to give back to the community. The most important thing I have learned from volunteering at Casa Juan Diego is that whether I speak Spanish or not, I need to always give back to the community. 

Week Nine

So this was my last week volunteering at Casa Juan Diego for the service learning project. However, I will be continuing to spend my Friday mornings volunteering at the clinic.


This Friday was pretty laid back. Only about 15 patients showed up, and with 2 doctors, everything moved fairly quickly. All of the girls who live in the Catholic Worker House are so sweet, and I have really learned a lot from their pleasant attitudes throughout this process.


I have taken a lot away from this Service Learning Project. I have definitely learned how much of a problem access to healthcare is for so many people in our own country, and I think that I will maintain this awareness when I am a doctor. I have learned that even neurosurgeons have time to volunteer sometimes, and change lives by providing healthcare. I have learned that stereotypes are often not true and that good people are sometimes just in very unfortunate situations. What a great experience, and I am glad that it will continue, and I will continue to see inspiring people who are willing to do anything to get healthcare for themselves and their families. 


Thanks for a great semester, Dr. Rosell! :)