When I started looking for gap year opportunities in March of 2020, I wasn’t quite sure what the future would hold. COVID-19 was beginning to make its way across the United States and wreak havoc on the healthcare system. As a soon to be college graduate amidst a global pandemic, I found myself in a world of uncertainty. I knew I wanted to engage in healthcare related service after graduation, so when I found the National Health Corps, I was excited about the prospect of spending a year in service to Philadelphia and the local community.
When I was offered a service position with NHC Philly at the Department of Health: Health Center 2 in South Philly, I was thrilled for the opportunity to expand access to healthcare for those in need, but I was worried about how the pandemic would affect the service term. Would I be able to still develop relationships with the patients I serve? Would I make friends in the cohort? How would the situation around the pandemic develop over the next 10.5 months?
Now as I am more than half-way through my service term, I have been able to reflect on my prior expectations and uncertainties going into the term. One of my biggest concerns was whether or not I would still be able to really engage with patients and get to know them, especially considering the fact that we had made so many changes in clinic flow to minimize risk of COVID-19 transmission. But despite the masked faces, less time spent in the health center, and the transition to telemedicine services, I have found hope and meaning in the smallest of interactions and daily conversations.
Virtual NHC Philly Talent Show
The feeling of community and the supportive atmosphere of NHC Philadelphia has also transcended my expectations, especially in a year that has caused so much isolation and loneliness for many. Moving away from family and friends and into a new city during a pandemic seemed daunting, but I have been pleasantly surprised at the wonderful connections I have made with other corps members through virtual spaces. Despite the fact that I have never actually met many of my fellow NHC Philadelphia members, I feel that we have created a supportive and welcoming community in each other and I look forward to our virtual monthly member meetings and activities when I can see all of their faces on zoom.
Since the service term began, the situation around COVID-19 has changed dramatically. Transmission rates have fluctuated but uncertainty has remained high. Over the last few weeks, my service position has expanded to include some outreach for vaccine distribution. Outreach and scheduling of eligible patients at the health center has been an extremely fulfilling part of my service. It’s heartening to hear the excitement on the other line when I call a patient to offer a vaccine appointment. For the first time in a year, I see a glimmer of hope on the horizon, as the distribution of vaccines marks the beginning of the end of the pandemic. As we continue to vaccinate the population, the uncertainty of daily life is waning, and it feels like things may soon go back to normal.
I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve with the national health corps. My time in Philadelphia has been filled with meaningful service, community building, and important work to bring us back towards “normal”. Nonetheless, my definition of normal has changed and I have learned to embrace the unexpected.
When I was offered a service position with NHC Philly at the Department of Health: Health Center 2 in South Philly, I was thrilled for the opportunity to expand access to healthcare for those in need, but I was worried about how the pandemic would affect the service term. Would I be able to still develop relationships with the patients I serve? Would I make friends in the cohort? How would the situation around the pandemic develop over the next 10.5 months?
