Goodbyes for Now

This week is my last volunteering session to be blogged about. The clinic was packed with patients. It had to have been the ridiculously cold weather, because everyone was sniffling and coughing! While I worked on more organization tasks for Nieves, I noticed many people were talking about getting the flu vaccine and then others were checking into their appointments because they think they have the flu. It was interesting to see that most of the patients with appointments were all having the same symptoms. The paperwork I was doing were lab results from previous week that needed to be entered into a new excel sheet for the start of December. Unfortunately, some of their computer programs, including excel were not working properly so I decided to come up with a different way to organize them to help Nieves out! She was extremely pleased and grateful when she saw that I was able to enter them in without excel, but on another program. She told me that this new way I entered them was probably more efficient for her so I am glad I was able to help! I guess those computer programming skills did come in handy ;-) . Another funny incident was that I saw a mother come in with her 8 year old son that had otitis media! I am recovering from that ear infection currently, so I was able to talk to her and tell her the symptoms I was experiencing. That was definitely a great encounter because I also felt like I was giving the Mom good information based on my personal experiences! Now just because this is my last blog....and I am sad...I already confirmed with Sam to keep volunteering next semester!!! I know next semester volunteering will be just as fulfilling as this semesters. Although at the beginning some tasks given to me were a little dull, I learned that every bit of help matters to the staff and patients of San Jose Clinic, and this was truly an eye-opener to what goes down with an undeserved population!

:-)

Change is Good...Right?

Last week, I came in hoping I would be able to start a database for the patient pharmacy receipts, but it turned out Nieves had something else in mind! When I walked into her office, her desk was COVERED in files. I looked at her and saw stress written all over her face. I will not lie, the stacks of files were intimidating!! Apparently, all those files got mixed up on her desk and she was frantically looking for all Lab receipts from November so she could turn them into the billing office.I knew she needed my help and I didn't hesitate to start organizing the day away! So I jumped right in and started pulling out all November lab receipts. After about an hour, and half my fingers numb ;-) , I organized all lab receipts from September-November. Nieves was pleased, and so was I. I could relate to her stress because it wasn't long ago that I had all my papers scattered on the floor, and I was searching for just ONE. I have definitely understood what it means to stay 'organized'. Although my next visit will be my last one 'blogged' about, I have decided to continue volunteering! I will end up missing Nieves' cluttered office and different tasks asked of me! I usually don't get asked for help a lot of the time, so it is nice being needed!

until next time!