She doesn’t wear scrubs or a stethoscope, but her impact on those at Torrance Memorial Hospital is just as vital. Sophomore Aaliyah Legaspi volunteers there, gaining hands-on experience that empowers her dream of a medical career.
Legaspi’s time volunteering has given her more than just a glimpse of the medical field; it has given her the rewarding feeling of helping those in need.
“It is very enriching, and you get to see if this is something you’re actually willing to do when you grow up, because you don’t necessarily want to spend 8 years of your life to realize you don’t want to do it,” Legaspi said.
Her responsibilities mainly include helping and discharging patients. Whether it’s bringing them their luggage or helping them find their way around the hospital, it requires empathy and direction. When talking to patients, “it’s a sensitive situation because you aren’t sure as to why they’re being discharged.”
“We have patients where we have to be very careful with what we say, especially the reason why they’re getting discharged, because we were told that there’s stuff such as mother-baby issues. If a mother has lost her child, you have to be careful what you say, so you go into the room being neutral,” Legaspi said.
The application process for the volunteer position was a written response, allowing applicants to explain their experience and motivation to volunteer at Torrance Memorial.
“[It] had a lot of questions about how you dealt with challenges: ‘what are some issues you face in school, sports, et cetera?’ And also, ‘what prompts you to want to be a doctor?’ They wanted to see how interested you are in actually being part of the medical field,” Legaspi said.
Once she was accepted, Legaspi joined others within the program. She works the weekend shift every other week.
“You go to this room where all the volunteers meet who have the same shift as you, and then we get called to discharge patients and help them with whatever they need,” Legaspi said.
To Legaspi, volunteering isn’t just a way to get her hours in or fill her weekends; it’s a productive step in her hopes for a medical future.
“I have a lot of family who are doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, et cetera. And I felt like they’re really passionate about what they’re doing, and I was really interested in helping people out and also being part of medicine, too. So, it prompted me to see what it’s like being a doctor. To find out if I really like it and pursue that goal,” Legaspi said.
Legaspi has found the program very beneficial to her passion. It has taught her patience, empathy, and teamwork, as well as resulted in lasting friendships with those she shares her goals with. As she continues through high school, she hopes the experience will serve as a helpful glimpse into a career in medicine. She feels this kind of work will give a much-needed boost, specifically as a neurosurgeon, which she aspires to become.
“I feel like there’s a lack of people who are in [the medical] industry, and there’s a high demand for it as well,” Legaspi said. “So I feel like if I’m going to dedicate sixteen years of my life to [a career], I better pick the one that’s most needed,” Legaspi said.
