Community Service 2020-2022

2 hours During the Mardi Gras break, I was inspired by people I met in my community who were concerned with the spread of COVID-19 in assisted living communities after the parade season was over. There was an emphasis on concern that needed to be further acknowledged. Though the residents themselves most likely did not attend parades themselves, they could still be pre-disposed by family members or faculty who had engaged in the festivities. This talk led to the idea of facilitating virtual experiences for residents at an assisted living community. In order to determine the feasibility of this idea here in New Orleans, I contacted someone I had volunteered with previously in Massachusetts. I communicated with administration regarding the potential of expanding the community theater to install a device with FaceTime capabilities that is easy to use for residents. By creating a self-report questionnaire that asked residents to rate an array of hobbies to determine technological skill lev...

Over the break, I had the privilege of continuing volunteer work I was doing last year at a nursing home in Massachusetts during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. I spent about 6 hours on a Sunday helping out around the community and assisting with anything that needed attention. The happiness that radiated from one of my favorite couples was worth every minute and equally as rewarding for me. The residents were excited to share that a soft-serve ice cream machine had been put in place after I left. Great timing! I can't say I wasn't excited to have a cone myself, so I happily followed suit when they offered to show me where it was. I was happy to socialize with the residents, assist with meal deliveries, and provide updated information and guidelines from the CDC on the best ways to remain safe. I also assisted with transportation of residents for convenience needs and coordinating a visit from health care professionals to administer booster shots. Because staffing has been a...

I was fortunate to continue my volunteer work talking to the elderly from the local senior retirement home totaling 6 hours this month. After some of the residents received the vaccine, they were feeling blue due to isolation from their friends and family. To avoid unnecessary contact, I called each of them and spoke to them on the phone for an hour each. Though it was just a phone call, it took their mind off of their discomfort for the hour and made all the difference in their moods. I also helped schedule vaccine appointments for those who were unable to do it themselves.  During these trying times where travel and interaction is so restricted, this experience has taught me that it is important to not forget about those who cannot speak up for themselves; It’s hard enough for those of us who can. 

 On January 16th and 23rd, I visited a nursing home to accompany the elderly during these lonely times of COVID-19. Volunteers were being sought out, as many residents were experiencing an increased level of depression. Being a graduate student from Tulane University School of Medicine in need of service hours  sparked hope in the tired eyes of the overworked staff members when I offered my help. That moment made me realize just how much of a national impact Tulane’s name has, especially in terms of community service! I had previous experience working with geriatric patients as a former mental health technician and Psychometrist, and knew they weren’t the only ones who would benefit from this experience. I spent two hours each Saturday hanging out with and talking to some older folks who couldn’t have their families visit them. It was great to make new friends and be helpful for people who had been losing hope. The experience has even been uplifting for me, as it has given me ...

 This month I continued my volunteer work at the local animal shelter, where one of our cats, Niñita, had a whole litter of kittens! It was certainly a sight to see.  All of the volunteers came together to ensure Niñita had a safe space all to herself. I made sure the vet was called and that all the other animals were tended to.  The next time I went, I bottle fed some of the kittens that were malnourished and made sure their eyes were free of debris when they opened them for the first time. It was a very nurturing moment, and opened my own eyes to see the beauty in the world around me for seemingly the first time. I looked around and realized how different the place seemed from the first time I had walked in. This entire experience has changed my perception on human behavior and the significance of every interaction. I realized that you don’t have to be loud to be heard; you don’t even have to talk sometimes. Our actions help us communicate with our loved ones just fine,...

 Tucker and I continued our journey together through the month of October, and we were even blessed with our very first Halloween snow storm! Due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the area, volunteer work was limited and we were assigned to one animal per volunteer. We worked with a nearby hospital to provide emotional support to patients who seek it. Tucker happens to still be a top favorite among GI patients, as he can sense when a person has stomach pain. He curls right up to them and, often, they can’t help but relax. Tucker has made huge changes in just two months. He has gone from being a very anxious and scattered cat, to a confident and witty cat. I was able to show him true kindness to the point where he couldn’t ignore me anymore. I was able to show him that it was, and would be, okay to trust again. Over time, he has grown to trust me. I am able to bring him to others who would really benefit from his now calm nature. Humans and animals really aren’t much different. One of the m...

I have the wonderful opportunity of volunteering at a local animal shelter in the Boston, MA area working with rescue dogs and cats. These animals have been brought in from kill shelters from all over the United States, many actually from Louisiana. My role is to provide emotional support to the animals until they are ready for a loving family to call their own. This volunteer opportunity is special to me, as I just recently had to re-home my own two cats and dogs. I moved to Boston this past June with my fiancée, a recent graduate from LSU School of Medicine, who matched in an Anesthesiology residency here. Since she has been quite busy with residency, I feel the absence of my pets much more. Thankfully, she found me this amazing opportunity and I feel so fulfilled. I share a special bond with a cat named Tucker, who is a Maine Coon and would not warm up to anyone else. He was very jumpy at first, however, over time I earned his trust and now he and I are best friends. I am so thankfu...