Volunteers of the Month

Volunteer of the Month: Jenny Chang

What is your volunteer role at BMC? How did you decide on this role?

A: I am currently a volunteer at the pediatric Project REACH philanthropy initiative that was established in response to the pandemic. Working along other staffs, I reach out to families of pediatric patients to offer any support they might need from daily necessities to mental health services. I decided on this role because the pandemic has affected people’s day to day lives and caused economic disruption for many. Through this role, I wish to help identify families’ needs and connect them to the available resources at BMC.

What do you like most about volunteering at BMC?

A: I enjoy contributing my time at BMC in making positive impacts in the community. Being the liaison between medical staffs and families has taught me important lessons in care delivery. My time volunteering has enabled me to become a better listener and further inspired me to do what it takes to make the world a more caring place.

What is the biggest takeaway from your experience so far? How has volunteering at BMC changed your perception of hospitals or healthcare?

A: Compassion is my biggest takeaway. I learned that compassion is fundamental in our society. Being able to respect one another no matter one’s age, race, culture, or gender identity is something we all can improve to foster an inclusive community. Volunteering at BMC has broadened my perspective on the extensive commitments required of clinicians and staffs to assist patients in obtaining their wellness goals.

What would you want someone to know who is thinking about volunteering at BMC?

A: You won’t regret it! And to always learn from those who you come across, whether it be patients, staffs, or the physicians at clinics.

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Volunteer of the Month: Nancy Wilbur

What is your volunteer role at BMC? How did you decide on this role?

A: I am a spiritual care provider, a chaplain, with Chaplaincy Services. About 10 years ago, after I retired from salaried employment, I began volunteering as a chaplain at another healthcare facility. I also completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education. Being a volunteer chaplain allows me to be with patients as a listener, to hear their stories, accompany them through their concerns and joys, and join them as they connect to their own spiritual strengths.

What do you like most about volunteering at BMC?

A: A former BMC chaplain once wrote that BMC is a “hospital at the crossroads of humanity.” I love the patients and staff I meet at BMC. At BMC, I am also blessed with opportunities to develop relationships with patients over time. I am a witness to moments that affect people in profound ways. I also witness the care and dedication of the BMC staff. By entering into the difficulties of the people I see, I am challenged and changed. I keep developing my capacity and my understanding as well as my own spiritual strengths.

What is the biggest takeaway from your experience so far? Can you give an example?

A: My takeaway: Love, respect, knowing that no one is “less than” and celebrating the lives of people, is fundamental and more multi-dimensional than I knew. Any time that I think I’ve learned that lesson, I’ve got more to learn. Volunteering at BMC shows me the deep impact on healthcare of the great divides in United States, especially on the basis of income and race.

What would you want someone to know who is thinking about volunteering at BMC?

A: Do it! Try it! Appreciate the privilege of being of service. Know that everyone here is your teacher, and as ancients have said, the “stranger” may be the “angel” bringing you gifts you’d never have imagined.

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Volunteer of the Month: Pooja Sonikar

What is your volunteer role at BMC? How did you decide on this role?

When I was in middle school I was lucky to volunteer at a school for children with special needs. Spending time with those kids started what became my passion for helping them in any way that I possibly can. I learned more about autism, cerebral palsy, down’s syndrome, and many other neurodevelopmental delays and disorders. By the time I started college, I became very aware of what my interest was because, after pursuing other research projects and volunteer endeavors, I knew that I really only wanted to spend my time pursuing this interest.

With such a specific goal at such a young age, I didn’t think it would be possible to find a volunteer opportunity that would provide me with everything I wanted and more until I learned about the Autism Program at BMC. After vigorous google searching and website navigation, I was delighted to find that the Autism Program had a program that would allow me to work on wonderful projects that aim to help patients at BMC and all over the country with the work that we do. I started working over the summer and have been here ever since.

What do you like most about volunteering at BMC?

Honestly, I couldn’t be more grateful for the supportiveness of the staff and the acceptance they have of all of my ideas, no matter how crazy they may seem to me. I love that I feel comfortable enough to pitch ideas for new research proposals or projects and not worry about being judged, not taken seriously, or feeling rejected. I know that I can make these suggestions and help build on the work that is currently being done because everyone at BMC has one goal: exceptional care without exception. We want to make the best experience for our patients and make that quality care accessible to everyone. It’s a value that I have held close to my heart before working at BMC, and I love that everyone I work with has that same quality because it further cements that principle for me. The fact that we all have that common ground allows me to make proposals, see them through, and learn about what patients need.

What is the biggest takeaway from your experience so far? How has volunteering at BMC changed your perception of hospitals or healthcare?

I think my biggest takeaway is that everyone is still learning no matter how far along they are in their career. Healthcare is a tricky process and it is constantly changing, which is why collaboration is so important. As a premedical student, I am surrounded by competitiveness and I have found that a lot of people my age who want to become doctors are consumed with the selectivity of medical school that we forget how important it is to learn from one another and work together. Working at BMC is so refreshing because I understand the importance of asking questions and reflecting on conversations, meetings, mistakes, etc. I believe that is an important lesson that will make me a better doctor and ultimately a better person. It’s really changed my perspective on how I approach my education and how I perceive healthcare and the hospital setting. After seeing the BMC staff for so long, I now have a better understanding of the importance of working with others and learning from anyone and everyone.

What would you want someone to know who is thinking about volunteering at BMC?

I would want someone who is thinking about volunteering at BMC to know that they should keep an open mind and to not be afraid to take chances so that they can go for whatever it is they want to do. After working at BMC, I think that if you have an idea that you believe will help patients, you should try to pursue it. If there’s an issue with your idea, you can learn from it and use those lessons to guide future projects. At the end of the day, you get the most out of your experience at BMC if you put a lot into it. Everyone here wants you to succeed and they want you to grow so that you can join the mission because it’s challenging and we need all the help we can get. It’s just a matter of whether or not you are up for the challenge.

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Volunteer of the Month: Richa Geetey

What is your volunteer role at BMC? How did you decide on this role?

A: My role in BMC is "Patient greeter" in OBGYN clinic. In addition to it, I perform various tasks guided by my supervisor. I decided on this role because OBGYN clinic was undergoing a phase of renovation when I joined. Patients needed to be guided to the new set up. I found this as a nice opportunity to help the pregnant women and new parents in their happy phase of life. This also helped the staff to keep the workflow smooth.

What do you like most about volunteering at BMC?

A: BMC is an amiable organization. The staff is cordial and friendly. Everyone is ready to help and guide me in my work.

What is the biggest takeaway from your experience so far? Can you give an example?

A: Satisfaction is my biggest takeaway. My best experience of Satisfaction as my takeaway from volunteering must be the time when an old lady came to me with her pregnant daughter and was not sure how to proceed to the check in counters as they had no appointment. They needed to be checked in as walk in patient. Also both the women were not in the best of their health. She asked me about the location and the process. I requested them to sit comfortably, gave some water and snacks. Meanwhile I asked one of the ASR to help them with the check in. It was done quickly by the staff. The relief on their faces was evident. I was happy to help with satisfaction to be able to make at least one patient content and delighted.

How has volunteering at BMC changed your perception of hospitals or healthcare?

A: This experience made me realize the amount of patience one has to have to serve the people in need. It is important to be calm and polite and yet work in discipline when a patient entrusts himself/herself to a team of strangers. Hospital is mostly a sad place with stressed people hence the healthcare staff needs to be extra kind. My respect for them has grown multi-folds.

What would you want someone to know who is thinking about volunteering at BMC?

A: My advice would be — don't think twice, just go for it. You will receive more than you give.