Greetings! My name is Alison Parish and I am a rising sophomore. I grew up in the Bronx, NY, where I connected virtually for my internship this summer. Before freshman year, I participated in the Novogratz Bridge Year Program in Senegal. I intend to major in Medical Anthropology with possible certificates in Global Health, Dance or French. Outside of academics, I am a member of diSiac Dance Company, Christian Union NOVA, and Black Pre-Medical Society. Also, I am involved with the Oral Refugee History Project and USG Disability Task Force. My hobbies include outdoor activities, cooking, exploring new places, and spending time with family and friends.
This summer, I am working with Children’s National Medical Center’s Volunteer Services department. I supervise the summer high school volunteer program. Since COVID-19 made it difficult for the students to volunteer in-person, the department decided on a virtual two-week program. Thus, the volunteers from last year were offered an opportunity to participate in one of three sessions throughout the summer. The first few weeks of the internship, I created a schedule for each session with engaging activities for the volunteers.
The five program components are:
- Hospital Support Opportunities: The volunteers support the Children’s National community with creative virtual activities, including digital cards and Virtual Storytime.
- Learning Opportunities: Volunteers complete activities to learn more about the research institutes at Children’s, trauma-informed care, and the healthcare system in the US.
- Speaker Series: A variety of speakers who are experts in the field of healthcare present to the volunteers their career experiences and give advice to the students.
- College Prep/Professionalism: I lead interactive sessions on resume writing, interview skills, and the college application process.
- Capstone Project: The students work in teams on a Capstone project to meet community needs with virtual games and activities for patients.
Along with these structured activities, there is time each day for the students to socialize with one another and play games like Among Us or Escape Room.
The following six weeks of the internship entailed coordinating each session from 10 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday. After the first day, none of the following days had identical scheduling. One day may start with Dr. Madati, Emergency Medicine, followed by recording Virtual Storytime, and then a lunch break. The afternoon may bring another speaker, Dr. Marie Nelson, Oncology, followed by Interview Prep, and finish with a game of Skribbli.o. We would close each day with each volunteer sharing a Rose, Bud, and Thorn.
Even though many volunteers were disappointed about the virtual programming, the Speaker Series brought the hospital to the volunteers. The volunteers had an opportunity to meet Barney and Company, the facility dogs. The studio media specialists gave them a tour of Seacrest Studios, the hospital’s televised talk show for patients and families. One of the music therapists performed a song and shared a song created with a patient’s heartbeat. One of the volunteers even received a paid opportunity from a pharmacist. While they were learning so much about the hospital, healthcare, and career development, they also made connections with one another. The passionate Among Us emergency meetings and frantic virtual scavenger hunts brought much laughter to our Zoom room. The students shared personal stories and goals. By the last day for each session, the resounding chorus would be, “I don’t want the program to end!”
The positive feedback for the virtual summer program speaks to the support of the Children’s National Medical Center for the community it serves. Some of the volunteers were previously patients at the hospital who wanted to give back to Children’s. The program exposed high schoolers to the breadth of healthcare careers and allowed them to contribute virtually. Each student felt inspired to seek more opportunities at CNMC or found clarity on their future aspirations. I am humbled to have witnessed their growth throughout the program and served as a mentor for them. I am grateful to the Volunteer Services department for the opportunity to work with the office this summer!
