Posted 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9, 2022
Students find service valuable for their careers
Editor’s note: Two UWL students were among four volunteers featured at Gundersen Health System. While they differ in their interests and extracurricular activities, they have three things in common: They’re all young – between the ages of 18 and 22; they all prioritize service to others; and they all love the mission that’s being lived out at Gundersen.
Erica Borde, program coordinator in Volunteer Services at Gundersen, says, "I am continuously amazed by our student volunteers. Whether in high school or college, they balance many competing priorities in their daily lives and they still choose to serve their community by volunteering here at Gundersen."
Delanie Johnson: From volunteer to intern
We started with Delanie Johnson. When the now-senior at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse was a freshman, she – along with all her fellow students – was sent home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was inspiring to see our local healthcare professionals step up to the needs of this community,” Delanie says. “Being a student, I asked myself, ‘How do I fit into this puzzle?’ I wanted to be on the right side of keeping our community safe.”
Delanie decided to change majors. She went from studying biomedical science to public health. And, she started volunteering at Gundersen. She was deployed to address the Social Determinants of Health in La Crosse as a Community Resource Connector volunteer.
“Growing up, my parents told me to help where you can. The best thing you can give the world is to show up and have a positive attitude,” Delanie says.
In January 2023, Delanie will start a new position at Gundersen; she’ll be an intern in the Office of Population Health.
“I’m able to apply my experience directly to what I’m learning in my classes,” she says. “It’s making a big difference in the way I see and understand public health.”
Mollie Fredrickson: A career path made clear
Mollie Fredrickson started volunteering at the Hospital Gift Shop in high school. She knew she wanted to work in healthcare and thought this setting would give her a bird’s-eye view. After a pandemic pause, she returned as a college student volunteer.
“I started volunteering in pediatrics,” Mollie says, adding that she got to know the child life specialists at Gundersen – a team that works with kids and their families to help them cope with hospitalization, illness and disabilities. “Gundersen has helped me grow and discover what I want to do next.”
Erica says it's not uncommon for student volunteers to return to Gundersen as an employee. "Many of our student volunteers return to Gundersen as employees in their future careers, so we feel lucky to be part of their journey into healthcare."
A recent graduate of UWL, Mollie plans to become a child life specialist. She continues to spend every Thursday at Gundersen volunteering. On one particular Thursday, she was able to make the life of a teenager – and patient – just a little bit better.
“I was able to take her to the OT playroom where we played Jenga. Each wooden piece had a question on it, so we got to know each other better,” Mollie says. “She told me that she was missing school and her friends and appreciated connecting with someone and having fun.”