Bassett Healthcare Network Junior Volunteers Contribute, Explore, and Learn During Summer 2024 Session
September 25, 2024
Volunteers are a vital part of the Bassett Healthcare Network community, contributing their time and skills to benefit our mission, values, and, of course, the patients we care for.
For eight weeks each summer, participants in our Junior Volunteer Program, between 14 and 17 years old, join forces with staff members and other volunteers at our hospitals, clinics, and other medical practices to lend a hand, learn, and earn valuable experience.
This year, 16 junior volunteers signed up and successfully completed their hours.
Racquel G.
Junior volunteer Racquel G. stands in front of a pharmacy window at Cobleskill Regional Hospital.
"As a forensic science student, my advisor informed me that I was required to complete a summer internship at a laboratory," shares Racquel G., one of this summer's volunteers. "I decided to reach out to Cobleskill Regional Hospital (CRH) with hopes to volunteer in their lab department to complete my internship."
Racquel demonstrated her passion by pushing beyond non-clinical tasks. She took the initiative to volunteer not only in the outpatient lab, but also in the pharmacy and medical imaging departments. Overall, she completed 240 hours across all three departments!
"Something that came by surprise in the best way were the meaningful connections I made with people," says Racquel. "Everyone at CRH was so friendly towards me and thankful for my help; it felt nice to know that I was making a positive impact on them, like they made on me."
Emma P.
Junior volunteer Emma P. poses for a photo next to a sign at O'Connor Hospital in Delhi.
At O'Connor Hospital in Delhi, Junior Volunteer Emma P. had a similarly enriching experience, for which she says she is very grateful.
"I learned many new things and got to help patients, even if it was something as seemingly small as getting them a drink or helping them to the bathroom," Emma says. "I am very fortunate that I got to work under such an amazing staff. They took great care of me and helped me hone amazing skills that will help in my future career in the medical field."
Emma's interest in the field is deeply personal. She had surgery at only eight years old to remove a brain tumor and a cluster of abnormal blood vessels called Cavernoma. "Since my surgery, I've been drawn to the idea of finding out what causes brain tumors," she shares. "More importantly, I want to help people and their families overcome something as challenging as this could be."
Junior volunteers give at a minimum four hours of their time, two days a week to Bassett Healthcare Network. Opportunities are available in a variety of positions, spanning hospital operations.
