October 2024- Pharmacology Blog

 

• Monthly Community Service Hours Completed 13 (as of October 27)
• Cumulative Semester Service Hours Completed 13 (as of October 27)

    On October 19th, my mom and I participated in an early morning volunteer event with Grace at The Green Light, a program that provides meals and essential support to those experiencing homelessness in New Orleans. 

    We had to wake up at 4 AM (definitely not an easy task!) and head to the St. Jude Community Center on 400 N. Rampart Street in New Orleans. When we arrived, there was already a long line of about 100 people waiting for breakfast. It was humbling to see so many individuals in need, but it was even more inspiring to witness the community coming together to serve. We started by prepping and serving breakfast, and after the meal, we handed out donation bags filled with essential items for both men and women.

     Since I was the only one there with somewhat of a medical background, I took on the role of distributing, ointments,vitamins and essntial first aid items to those who needed them. It was a special responsibility, and I felt grateful to offer even a small level of healthcare assistance. I enjoyed every moment of it, and I’m planning to volunteer again during the week prior to class as—it’s only a few blocks away, so it’s easy to fit in. I’ve included a photo of the line we had about an hour before the doors opened, which really captures the need for and importance of this effort.

        Fast forward to October 27th, and I found myself at a completely different kind of event—a Trunk or Treat at my local community center in Destrehan. This event was special to me because it allowed me to combine community work with my passion for working with children.  A coworker and I had planned to participate in this event this for weeks, and it was great to see it all come together. We had an amazing turnout. 

     Additionally, I recently started tutoring a high school student from Destrehan, helping him with 9th-grade math. It was a rewarding experience, not only because I got to teach but also because I enjoyed hearing how Destrehan High School has changed since I graduated. 

     All  events, while very different from each other, were deeply fulfilling. I feel so grateful to have had these opportunities to connect with my community and make a small difference. I’m looking forward to continuing this volunteer journey and finding more ways to help those around me.  

     The Pharmacology program in itself has definitely ramped up in difficulty, especially as we’ve progressed into more complex material. In my opinion, the most challenging exams and module so far have been the ANS & CV Physiology and Systems block. Fortunately, I have a strong foundation in study skills that I’ve honed over the years and especially now at Tulane, which I was able to lean on during this demanding block. These skills were crucial in breaking down the harder concepts and managing the increased workload, allowing me to stay on track despite the intensity of the material.