What went well:
The progress I made; what was achieved and done
- AFC:
- During my orientation, I had the opportunity to meet the clinic leadership and become familiar with the software used for daily operations.
- I discussed with my mentor the priority of increasing participation in the Move to Health exercise class.
- I found a folder in their online system containing many different Excel workbooks with various names and dates of participation. I consolidated the data into a new sheet that included everyone's names, phone numbers, referral reasons, and the referring doctors. My next task is to these individuals and encourage them to join the class.
- My mentor assigned me the role of overseeing the entire program, not just being an instructor. I learned about the available resources and helped the instructor teach the class, ensuring that Spanish-speaking patients could understand the English-speaking coach.
- SOME:
- I went through the clinic resource binder to understand its operations and identify areas for improvement.
- I updated the bus and walking routes to nearby hospitals and obtained the latest government forms (e.g., Tuberculosis Referral forms), and created new lists for medication and medical supply needs.
- I added fax numbers and phone numbers to the list of service centers in the DMV area.
- I learned how to scan documents into patient charts and gained knowledge about the clinic's pharmacy.
- I created a water challenge for the staff to encourage hydration, addressing an issue raised regarding inadequate water intake.
What could have been done differently:
Things that did not get done and/or could be changed
- AFC:When a new patient with a shoulder injury attended the Move to Health class, I had to improvise exercises for her. In the future, I will review the referral list and develop specific plans for each patient to accommodate their unique needs.
- SOME:I wish I had spent more time getting to know the patients to better understand their needs. However, since it was only my second week, I prioritized familiarizing myself with the clinic because I think it will help me in my patients interactions. I am looking forward to discussing my ideas and hearing my mentor's input in our upcoming meeting.
What did I learn about myself when working with others?
Contributions, behaviors and values I exhibited
- AFC
- I am proud of leveraging my Excel skills to create a comprehensive master list of patients referred to or participating in the Move to Health class.
- I stepped back and allowed the new coach to lead the class while supporting a patient with a shoulder injury. I also provided interpretation services during doctor visits and helped entertain a patient’s kid so the patient could focus on herself. These experiences allowed me to exhibit leadership without overtly being in charge.
- SOME:
- I am proud of taking the initiative to update the clinic's resource binder, as it helped me gain a better understanding of the clinic and its community.
- Proficiency in Excel proved to be an invaluable organizational tool in both my roles at AFC and SOME.
What did I learn about leadership?
Leadership attributes and insights I developed
- AFC:Leadership involves knowing when to step up and when to let others take the lead. By allowing a new coach to lead the exercise class, I could focus on interacting with patients and identifying their struggles, such as the shoulder injury. This enabled me to tailor exercises for the patient while the other instructor managed the rest of the group.
- SOME: Leadership requires understanding the clinic and its available resources. Through learning about the clinic's services and external referrals, I gained insights that helped me start to conduct a needs assessment.
What do I want to develop or focus on next?
What do I still need to develop?
I’ve fed the homeless with my church for the past few years, so I’ve gotten to know some of the
regulars who come to eat the meal every Sunday very well. In this role, I help cook and serve a sit-down meal. Last week, as I talked to a regular about my work this summer, I asked him if he had any suggestions for how I could help at the medical clinics. He suggested conducting a survey with his population during our time together. So next Sunday, I will conduct a survey to identify their needs in medical care. This will inform my approach in tailoring surveys and conversations with patients at both the Arlington Free Clinic and So Others Might Eat's Medical Clinic. I also intend to utilize this information to find ways to assist the population coming to the meals at my church.