During my junior year, I applied for a volunteer position at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato. As someone who has not volunteered before in a health facility or hospital, I was excited to try this experience. I found myself navigating the healthcare environment, collaborating with fellow volunteers, and also being able to assist in patient care tasks. I felt enlighted and scared at the same time about this experience. This experience marked my first steps in the healthcare world and in my leadership responsibilities. Being in the shoes of a volunteer I was able to understand leadership responsibilities differently. I was not getting paid to be there, but I was still showing up eager to learn something new and develop my leadership skills.

 

My duties would include getting medication from the pharmacy and delivering them to different departments around the hospital, I would help with delivering packages to patients and ask them if they needed assistance with eating their food, going to the toilet, or walking around the hall, especially for patients in the post-surgery department. By volunteering, I was able to realize the importance of empathy, patience, and effective communication that occurs while interacting with patients, their families, or my volunteer leader team. One interaction that has stood out for me was with a post-surgery patient who needed assistance with mobility exercises. I was able to be inside the room and observe while she was having a meeting with the occupational therapist. I saw how the therapist was communicating with the patient and trying to distract her from the pain she felt while she moved her hand. I realized that occupational therapists are a big help on the road to recovery for the patients.

 

This volunteer experience has illuminated a path for my future as an occupational therapist. I look forward to strengthening my knowledge of patient care, communication strategies, and collaborative teamwork. Building into these skills, I intend to further my education in occupational therapy and engage in hands-on clinical experiences. To continue to develop my leadership strengths and skills, I plan on seeking opportunities for skill development and participating in workshops that are mainly focused on patient engagement and rehabilitation techniques. I have developed good principles of leadership and commitment by doing this volunteer experience, which will serve as milestones in my career path. In conclusion, my volunteer leadership experience has been a great chapter in my life has inspired me to continue to help people, and has helped me shape my perspective in the healthcare industry.

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