Volunteer Experiences

Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center

Over six years of volunteer service, I supported patient experience efforts by rounding on nursing units, assisting staff with non-clinical needs, and documenting feedback to help improve quality of care. I also managed compliance, training modules, and scheduling through ACEMAPP, gaining experience with healthcare operations, institutional policies, and professional standards.

Volunteering across different units exposed me to a wide variety of patient populations, including older adults, individuals with chronic conditions, and families navigating stressful health situations. These experiences strengthened my communication skills, empathy, and understanding of barriers that affect patient satisfaction and overall well-being.

Campus Kitchen at UGA

At Campus Kitchen, I assisted with preparing, packaging, and delivering meals to food-insecure community members, a large proportion of whom were grandparents raising grandchildren. Through this work, I gained direct experience addressing food insecurity, learning about sustainable food systems, and contributing to solutions that reduce waste and promote equitable access to nutritious foods.

By creating meals from unused produce and surplus items, I helped support community nutrition while reducing environmental impact. This experience expanded my understanding of food-related social determinants of health, particularly how nutrition and resource access influence aging populations and intergenerational households.

Habitat for Humanity

As a member of the Housing Selection Committee, I evaluated homeownership applications using a holistic review process that considered financial stability, family needs, environmental factors, and long-term housing suitability. I worked with other committee members to assess eligibility fairly and ethically, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission.

I also created resource portfolios for applicants, connecting them with community services related to housing, financial assistance, and general well-being. This role deepened my understanding of social determinants of health—especially the essential role of affordable, stable housing in supporting aging in place, chronic disease management, stress reduction, and family stability.

Legacy Youth Mentoring

As a mentor, I build supportive and trusting relationships with youth by facilitating meaningful conversations, designing activities that spark engagement, and guiding goal-setting related to academic growth and personal development. Through consistent meetings and open communication, I help mentees cultivate self-confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

This experience has strengthened my understanding of behavioral health, positive youth development, and the role of mentorship in long-term well-being. It also connects to health promotion by addressing protective factors such as supportive relationships, social skills, and emotional regulation early in life.