Tiffany Chang
Age: 16
School: Westmoor High School
Volunteer Assignment: Parnassus Patient Amenity and Support Program/ Brew Crew
Warmth and Connection
On my very first shift, a few weeks after the program had started, I was anxious as I didn’t know how I could possibly help with an injured leg. Would I be a burden to the other volunteers and coordinators? As I walked into a room with unfamiliar faces, not knowing what to expect turned out to be a day full of excitement and happiness. By the end of the day, I wanted to do more and was excited for my future shifts.
My sister was a year long volunteer at the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and every time she came back home, she would tell me all these captivating stories she had experienced with the patients. I was interested in her stories and was excited to start my own journey as a volunteer in the hospital. I now finally have the chance to do so with a whole different perspective rather than being a patient at the hospital. Every week, I visit patients and visitors, I learn more about one another and we build a bond through the short interactions we have.
The most rewarding time that I had while volunteering was my second shift where I got to visit and patient and hold a conversation with her. I didn’t know what to expect and I was extremely nervous as I walked towards her room thinking positively. This was a memorable time for me because not only did I get to know her more through our conversation, we understood one another. We talked about one another’s life and not only did we just have a conversation, she gave me a meaningful talk about how life is in the outside world. After telling her I wanted to volunteer because of my interest in the medical field, she told me I would be able to achieve it. Upon hearing that, I was overjoyed by how someone has faith in me. She told her story as well as her interests in drawing. She showed me her drawings and I could tell she enjoyed having someone accompany her. Once I realized it has been an hour and a half, I regretfully told her I had to leave and I could tell by looking at her eyes that she was sad. I promised her that I would come back the next time I was volunteering so I could once again talk about all of the stories. She thanked me for spending time with her and as I walked out of her room, I realized that volunteering is much more than giving out amenities to patients but engaging with them through conversations and helping them go through the journey at the hospital. Ever since the interaction I had with her, I wanted to become more engaged with the patients and would start a conversation with patients and visitors whenever I have the chance. I want to be helpful for the patients through our interactions. Making a difference in someone’s life is what makes volunteering so worthwhile.
I have always been interested in how the hospitals run and everything that occurs in each floor. I wondered what it was like if I were to work there one day and I had an opportunity to experience what it was like in the hospital by being a UCSF volunteer. It has been a great pleasure being part of the UCSF community as a high school volunteer. Not only did I gain the experience of what it’s like working in the hospital, I was able to interact with different patients each time I volunteered. Being able to interact and social with patients and visitors is one of the best part of volunteering. Knowing that I had an impact to the patients and being able to help people every week was something I felt proud and great about. A small, simple gesture of handing out amenities or talking to patients, may be nothing but just another task, but to the patients or visitors receiving it is something much more. No matter how many unfamiliar faces I saw in the patient room, hallways, elevators, and lobbies, by the end of each day, I am always filled with joy and sense of warmth knowing I had made a difference to at least one person.
Being able to volunteer for UCSF has always been one of my goals as a high schooler and I finally accomplished that. I still remember the times where I would always forget that there are two different sides of each floor, Moffitt and Long. Forgetting that there is Moffitt, I would stubbornly go up to the nurse station and ask for a patient or to pick up any amenities, they would look at me weirdly. They gave me the confused look and once I looked back at the slip, I realized I was at the wrong location. I am thankful for the caring nurses and any healthcare professionals for being there and helping a clueless volunteer like me get around the hospital whenever I am lost. Volunteering at UCSF gave me an opportunity to work at a hospital which I have always wanted to do. Not only did I get to experience it, I got to meet such wonderful volunteers and patients whom I connected with.