Amigos is probably one of the coolest clubs on this campus, and if you have an interest in helping people and Spanish, you should check it out! We talked to Bailey Lewis, the President of Amigos to learn more about how she’s involved, and how you can get involved too!
Name: Bailey Lewis
Year: Senior
Major: Exercise Science with a minor in Spanish
Hometown: Rocky Mount, NC
Her Campus South Carolina: What is Amigos?
Bailey Lewis: Amigos del Buen Samaritano, aka “Amigos”, is a Spanish volunteer club that was founded as a result of undergraduate USC students collaborating with the Good Samaritan Clinic. Through this, our goal is to foster a culture in which we demonstrate the importance of social justice among limited English proficient populations by providing culturally and linguistically competent health care services to these populations.
HSCS: Why did you join Amigos?
BL: I originally joined Amigos because it combined my two passions – the Spanish language and healthcare. Having said that, I have stayed involved in Amigos because it provides an outlet for college students to give a little back to a community that has given us so much.
HSCS: What made you want to be president of the club?
BL: Anna Cat (the former president of Amigos) approached me at the end of my sophomore year and insisted that I run for the position. With her guidance, I and the other Amigos officers have been able to offer Amigos as a service outlet to multiple Spanish classes, increase involvement in the club and our involvement on campus, and expand our fundraisers for the clinic.
HCSC: What is your favorite part about serving the people at the Good Samaritan Clinic?
BL: My favorite part about serving the people at the Good Samaritan Clinic is just that – the people. I love having the opportunity to be able to interact with the patient in their preferred language in order to provide the best and most comfortable experience for them.
HSCS: Do you plan to continue working with the Good Samaritan Clinic or another agency like them after you graduate?
BL: After graduation in May, I will be moving home for a year while I apply to medical school. During this gap year, I plan to volunteer with the local Boys and Girls club where I hopefully will be able to assist with the various health and life skills programs that the club offers.
HCSC: How do you think this club will impact your career?
BL: My involvement in Amigos has given me a greater understanding and first-hand experience with health disparities, particularly in regards to race and ethnicity. The experience I have gained has prepared me to be sensitive and accepting of patients that differ from me and my background. As a physician, I will strive to make these improvements on an individual level by providing quality care to whoever I provide care.
HCSC: What other organizations are you a part of?
BL: In addition to Amigos, I have also been heavily involved in USC Dance Marathon (USCDM), my sorority (Zeta Tau Alpha), and undergraduate research. Within USC Dance Marathon, I was fortunate to be a member of the Recruitment Committee, the Morale team, and serve as the External Productions Director. I founded a new committee within my sorority to promote involvement in Dance Marathon and to provide another outlet for the women of ZTA to get involved. Aside from student organizations, I have also had the opportunity to do research in a Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology laboratory at the USC School of Medicine. Under the guidance of Dr. Karan, I have assisted in reading and reviewing scholarly research articles, conducted experiments like RT-PCR, qPCR, and Western Blots, and analyzed data. This experience has given me a greater appreciation and understanding of disease from a scientific research perspective.
HCSC: Do you have any advice for students looking to get where you are?
BL: Be involved and be passionate. Find something in college that you are truly passionate about and stick with it. Give meaning to your collegiate experience beyond the classroom walls and crazy nights out with friends. Be that person that people recognize and know on campus because of your involvement.
If you’d like see what Amigos is up to, check out their Twitter.
And if you’d like to see more of what the Good Samaritan Clinic does, make sure to visit their website!