This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UVA chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.
Name: Louisa Howard
Year: Second Year
Major/Minor: Art History, Bioethics Minor
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Q: What motivated you to get involved with the volunteer program, Madison House?
Q: What motivated you to get involved with the volunteer program, Madison House?
 A:Â
I became interested in the Medical Services program through Madison House because I wanted to work in a hospital setting, and reach out not only to the UVa community, but also the wider Charlottesville area. When I came to college, I was hoping to find a way to get exposure in the medical world, and the Medical Services program offered just that. I was so grateful for the time and effort Medical Service coordinators put into giving volunteers such a unique experience of volunteering at the Hospital, so last year I applied to be a Program Director.
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Q: What has been the most rewarding part about seeing the way your fellow volunteers have developed?
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Q: What has been the most rewarding part about seeing the way your fellow volunteers have developed?
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A: The most rewarding part has been seeing strong relationships develop between the Hospital Staff and the volunteers. They are so appreciative of all the volunteers’ hard work and it is very rewarding for me to see volunteers foster such positive relationships with health personnel. Since most of the volunteers are pre-med students, it is especially gratifying to know that they are developing communication, collaboration, and comprehension skills that will benefit them immensely in years to come.
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Q: What have you learned about the University community through your involvement?
Q: What have you learned about the University community through your involvement?
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Through my involvement with Madison House, I have learned that the University community is extremely fortunate to have its Medical, Law and Business schools all within walking distance from main grounds. We are even more blessed that the greater University, and Charlottesville communities, are willing to open their doors to students and provide them with unforgettable experiences so that they will be further motivated and prepared to follow their career goals once they graduate. For the pre-med students like me, it has been invaluable to have the opportunity to volunteer at the hospital and learn from real medical situations. There are many things that a textbook can simply can’t teach, and we are lucky UVa has strong volunteer programs like Madison House to shape students’ lives outside the classroom.