When October came around, I was already a month into my service term and felt like I was settling into my role assisting patients with prescription assistance programs. I had developed a routine of calling patients, submitting applications, and working with doctors to help our patients get the medications they needed. I was really enjoying getting to know our patients and gaining confidence, feeling ready for whatever challenges my new experience could bring. 

However, one day, when I was routinely calling a patient to have them come in to start a new application, my usual telephone greeting was not answered with a “hello,” but rather with “hola.” At first, I was taken aback, but then my Spanish-speaking studies kicked in. I had studied Spanish in high school and completed a Spanish minor at UCLA, and now I was presented with the rare opportunity to use what I had learned in real life. In Spanish, I asked if they spoke any English, to which they replied no. A wave of excitement and nervousness came over me as I began to speak to them in their native language, explaining my role and when they should come in to see me. While I’m not fluent, I knew my skills were strong enough to communicate. I was thrilled that they understood me and grateful to see them come in later that week.

I printed out their application in Spanish, and they were able to fill it out. While the whole process took only about 15 minutes, the patient and their son, who had accompanied them, ended up staying to talk with me for another 45 minutes. They were so excited that I spoke Spanish, since no one else at the health center did, and they were happy to share their experiences with me. I was eager to learn more about their home country, life in the U.S., and their health experiences. Our conversation was wonderful, and this has been the highlight of my service term so far. I’m thankful that my background allowed me to make a patient feel welcome and assist in their care.

I’m glad I was able to reach this patient at a time when using a translator over the phone would have been difficult. I’m happy that I was able to complete the application successfully with them, and we are now waiting to see if they are accepted into the program. I love my role because of the diversity of patients I work with, and I’ve truly enjoyed interacting with them all. I’m excited to continue learning more about the community I’m serving this year, finding new ways to reach patients in their time of need, and making healthcare accessible to everyone.