600 Hours of Service, Learning, and Preparing for a Life in Medicine
For Sayra Granados, volunteering at Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine is about much more than gaining experience for medical school. It is about learning, serving, building confidence, and discovering the kind of healthcare professional she hopes to become.
A Jersey native and UCF student, Sayra graduated in just three years and is currently taking a gap year as she prepares for the next step in her journey: medical school. UCF is currently her first choice, but wherever her medical education takes her, the lessons she has learned at LVIM will go with her.
Sayra first discovered LVIM through a physician she shadowed in internal medicine. After hearing about the organization, she did some research of her own and was drawn to LVIM’s mission and the opportunity to be part of a team providing care to the community.
Fifteen months later, Sayra has contributed more than 600 volunteer hours, serving in both the clinical and dental areas of the clinic. As a clinical assistant, she works alongside providers and learns firsthand from experienced medical professionals. She also serves as a dental sterilization aide, gaining an appreciation for the important work that happens behind the scenes to keep patient care safe and effective.
For Sayra, every day brings something new to learn.
She remembers being amazed by the amount of information she encountered from her very first day in the clinic. Working alongside providers in different specialties has challenged her to adapt, observe, listen and, eventually, apply what she has learned.
“I really like sort of having to adjust and kind of match how they work,” she shared. “They give me so much information all at once…seeing it sort of come back and being able to give it back as well has been very rewarding.”
That opportunity to learn while serving others has made her time at LVIM especially meaningful.
Sayra says the clinic’s environment has also helped her grow in confidence and character, qualities she knows will be essential as she continues toward a career in medicine.
When asked what she would tell someone considering volunteering at LVIM, her answer was simple:
“Jump into it head first.”
She describes LVIM as a positive, productive and welcoming environment where volunteers can ask questions, learn from others and feel supported. For someone just beginning their volunteer journey, she believes that kind of environment can make all the difference.
“I think that kind of helps you with the confidence and character and gets you going to your next step,” Sayra said.
And that next step for Sayra is medicine.
While she is preparing for medical school, she is also gaining something that cannot be taught entirely in a classroom: the experience of serving patients, working as part of a healthcare team and understanding that excellent care depends on every person who contributes to it.
With more than 600 hours already given to LVIM, Sayra has certainly made an impact on our clinic, but the experience is making an impact on her, too.
Sayra, thank you for jumping in head first, serving wherever you are needed, and bringing your curiosity, compassion and commitment to LVIM. We are grateful to have you on our team and excited to see where your journey in medicine takes you!
