Page 19 - Harnett Life Winter 2020

and willing to work with students. I also appreciate that every I attended NCSU (BS in Zoology) and Campbell (MS in Bio-
attending dedicates their valuable time to our patients. Our at- medical Sciences). When I am not studying, I enjoy playing
tendings have inspired me to continue my community service my mandolin in local Irish Sessions – where people come to-
when I am able to practice as a physician. gether to play traditional Irish tunes and share food and drink.
Our patient population is extremely diverse and a majority mi-
nority population – it reminds me of the prison population I What drew you to volunteer with the CUCCC?
worked with as a pharmacist.. We only serve the uninsured Before I came to Campbell, I was a nursing assistant for many
and being able to serve them is really inspiring. Our patient years. I still really enjoy taking care of others using my hands,
population reflects a lot of the patient population I worked with and I suppose this is the main reason why I love to volunteer
in the prison system in that they were unlucky and are under- at CUCCC. Also, there are many aspects of patient care that
served, and they were surprised to have anyone interested in cannot be taught in the classroom, and as a student doctor, I
their health because they have never had that and our patients’ welcome any opportunity to learn and improve my patient care
experiences have been the same. skills.

What have you learned the most about your volunteer ex- What do you enjoy most about volunteering?
perience at CUCCC? Improving my own skills is not the only reason, however; I
I’ve learned that I still have a lot of experience to gain as a believe strongly in teamwork in patient care. The CUCCC is
medical student and future doctor. Real-life patients are of- very well organized and fosters a collaborative environment
ten complex and I’ve learned the importance of looking at the for students at any level of their training to help patients who
whole picture, rather than simply looking at managing their may not otherwise receive essential care. Even now with CO-
illnesses. As future doctors, it’s our job to ensure our patients VID restrictions, the telemedicine visits are helping me learn
have a safe, inclusive environment that supports a healthy life- how to engage patients and make a difference in better ways
style in addition to their healthcare needs. despite barriers to health care – an essential skill for a caregiver
to learn!
Meet Wes Henderson, Class of 2023
My name is Wes Henderson, and I am an MS-II. I grew up in For more information about the Community Care Clinic visit
Greensboro, NC very close to the city of Pleasant Garden, and medicine.campbell.edu/free-clinic and call 910-505-0435.