During our clinic last January, we were able to provide care to over 40 patients! This was the longest telemedicine clinic we’ve ever had, with more and more patients requiring our service each month. It was clear that it was not only our providers that were invaluable to this clinic, but also the organization, teamwork, and leadership of our student volunteers at UCLA.
Flying Samaritans member, Emily Lu, shared her experience:
“As a scribe and shadower in my very first clinic, I was in awe of how coordinated the telemedicine clinic was run, in spite of COVID-19 and technical difficulties (a fire in the community that disturbed the signal). I was incredibly proud to be a part of such a organization that was able to adapt according to the situation quickly and to bring care to our patients no matter what (like fundraising ~$2800 for medication to be sent to Tijuana). I am also so inspired by our physicians’ generosity with their time and attentiveness to patients’ needs.
During my second clinic, I served as a translator in my group and I was incredibly nervous, not being a native Spanish speaker. However, it pushed me outside of my comfort zone in a good way and I was able to connect with our patients on a deeper level. My group leaders Tiffany and Samantha were essential in facilitating the smooth transition from patient to patient and also aiding in my translating. I’m so grateful to Flying Samaritans for giving me and other students the opportunity to step up and serve patients!”