Pre-med student gives back at non-profit organization
Described as “interesting and just brilliant,” by the senior associate director of the Career Center at the University of Rochester, Monica Patel lived up to these words. With a friendly smile and excited tone in her voice, Patel greeted me.
Staying on campus to take a summer class, Patel knew she wanted to find a summer job or internship that would help her gain experience toward her future career. As an ecology and evolutionary biology major, Patel has plans to work in health care.
Patel, a participant in the University of Rochester’s Reach Funding Program, was able to get a stipend through the college in order to pursue an unpaid internship of her choice. The college estimates how much money she will receive based on the hours spent at the clinic.
This summer she is interning Monday and Friday at Westside Health Center on Genesee Street.
“It is a fairly new health center,” said Patel.
The Westside Health Center’s mission is to treat those who do not have healthcare. They take in patients who cannot afford the services or do not have coverage of basic healthcare needs.
“The practioners and nurses are amazing,” said Patel. “They really care about the people they take care of.”
At the Westside Health Center, they also conduct research. Primarily the research has been for hypertension and diabetes and how to treat these medical conditions more adequately.
“They treat all ages,” said Patel. “A lot of people that come in are families and adults.”
Luckily for Patel, this non-profit healthcare organization is not only giving her experience she can use in the future, they are welcoming and happy to have students.
“They really want students to get involved,” said Patel. “It is a good way for pre-med students to get experience.”
Patel will graduate next spring in May 2009. Upon graduation she hopes to go to medical school or enroll in a physicians assistant program.
“I volunteered at a hospital throughout high school,” said Patel. “It really taught me a lot and made me realize that I want to spend my life treating and caring for other people.”
