by Ryanne Thelwell
When I first began my journey at UF, I was equally amazed and overwhelmed by the wealth of programs and organizations available to get involved with. My experience with Beyond120 began with taking Professional Pathways during my very first semester as a student. I learned valuable skills such as how to write a strong resume and cover letter, how to do an effective elevator pitch, and how to best present myself as a candidate for academic applications and job opportunities.
Through this first introduction to what Beyond120 had to offer, I was able to learn about the Pre-Health Scholars Program and take courses that emphasized the importance of the biopsychosocial model in healthcare and how to better navigate the pre-health application process.
In Fall 2021, I had the opportunity to participate in a Pre-Health Scholars internship with Community Hospice and Palliative Care. Entering this internship, I did not have a full understanding of the purpose of hospice and palliative care facilities or how they operated. It is common as a pre-health student to associate healthcare with combative treatments, therapies, and cures. However, hospice and palliative care exposed me to a completely new side of healthcare that puts the comfort of its patients as well as their families above all else while striving to give those close to passing a respectful and dignified experience.
Another intern and I had the privilege of sitting in on recurring interdisciplinary group meetings and shadowing various staff members including an advanced practice nurse, social worker, chaplain, and grief counselor. Over the course of the semester, I was able to observe firsthand how each of these providers work together as a team to care for patients’ physiological health as well as their social, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Shadowing during home visits was an especially eye opening experience as I got to see how hospice staff interact with patients’ loved ones, giving them the opportunity to relax for a moment and express their feelings with someone who is truly hearing them. Preparing people for death and the emotional difficulties that come with it is an integral part of hospice and palliative care. This internship allowed me to observe the biopsychosocial model of healthcare in action while helping shape my future career goals.
