My experience in the National Health Corps has been an education in the simplest of words. It was an education that didn't require a textbook and didn't take place behind four walls. Rather, it happened through the people I met. From the patients I helped serve to the Corps itself, this year has been a chapter book that I had the pleasure of reading.
In my patients, I have seen resilience at work. From patients juggling 40 hour work weeks, kids, plus their own lives, I realized that leading a healthy and manageable life isn't such an easy task. Sitting down with patients has made me appreciate their perspective and understand that their values should serve as an integral part of their care plan, something that I hadn't considered prior to this year.
From the providers, I have learned why they chose their profession; although it requires quite a bit of schooling, it is ultimately rewarding to see the difference they can make in a patient's life. It is quite humbling to serve alongside providers who want their best for their patients. Without their support I couldn't have met my goals this year.
From supporting staff, I learned so much from sitting and talking with them. They have such a great attitude and do quite a lot for the clinic. They definitely make things run smoothly for everyone in the clinic.
Overall, this year has given me a realistic perspective of the healthcare field with all its imperfections and its glory. It has been an education in the simplest of words with a bittersweet ending. I'm happy to have walked away with some lessons that have changed the way I look at healthcare. It is my hope to keep in touch with providers, Corps members, and supporting staff beyond this year—many of whom are doing or are destined to do great things.
This post was written by NHC Chicago member Nancy Aguilar.
