VolunTEEN Voices: Apeksha Agarwal

In today's episode of VolunTEEN Voices, we share the story of Apeksha Agarwal, a first-year TidalHealth VolunTEEN in 2 West, 5 Layfield and Diabetes Education at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury, Md.:

In the short time that I have been volunteering in the cardiology and neuroscience departments at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional, I have gotten a chance to oversee the works of various nurses and doctors. Watching the nurses attend to the patients with care and attention showed me that bedside manner and diligence are important for this career. Good bedside manner helps patients feel more comfortable with their nurses and doctors, and diligence can help doctors with the diagnosis and treatment of the patient.

I have also seen doctors make critical decisions regarding their patients, showing their expertise in their area by doing regular consultations and contacting others within their patient's care and history to ensure the best treatment. I have learned that healthcare professionals emphasize communication as a leading factor toward a good outcome for their patients.

At the TidalHealth VolunTEEN Lunch & Learn in July, we learned about jobs in radiology and lab which do not necessarily require direct patient contact. This event expressed the important support that these positions offer to the healthcare field. Radiologists play a vital role in helping doctors diagnose their patients, through multiple techniques such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. These scans thoroughly print out a reading of the patient's body allowing the doctor to advise the best treatment plan. Lab technicians work behind the scenes, analyzing many body fluids, tissues, and other samples given. Their job is important for diagnosing diseases, as they carefully test each sample and study it in order to provide doctors with vital information needed for treatment.  These careers make a huge impact on healthcare without the need for direct patient contact. This has directed my attention toward exploring more of the hospital and learning about jobs I never knew were this important.

These experiences have helped me realize the dedication and passion required to work in this field, further expanding my aspiration to pursue a career in healthcare. Additionally, the Lunch & Learn helped me focus on jobs similar to a radiologist as it aligns with my interest in machines and doesn't require direct patient contact.

To learn more about volunteering at TidalHealth, visit our Volunteer Programs page.