Why is volunteering important?
Service shows evidence of compassion. On your application to medical school, it is important to have volunteer experience in both healthcare and non-healthcare related areas. Volunteering at Creighton University Medical Center or other hospitals or clinics as well as volunteering at Nebraska Aids Project or One World Community Health Center are good examples of healthcare related volunteer experiences. Any other type of volunteer activity that is non-healthcare related, such as volunteering at schools, churches or youth organizations is also considered important to medical schools. Volunteer at places where you feel like you are making a difference in the community and with populations with which you feel comfortable and make sure that message is conveyed to the admissions committees.
How many times should you do it? How many hours does it take to impress a medical school? All in all, sustained effort is what counts. Focus on the quality of the service experience and how effective you are when volunteering. If you feel you’ve done what you can, move on to another opportunity. Examples of sustained volunteerism include: tutoring at an elementary school for three years or volunteering at CUMC two hours a week for five semesters. Overall, you must be a committed, responsible and compassionate volunteer and the experience must hold some meaning in your life.
Service opportunities that are healthcare related here in Omaha are listed below. The contact information for the Creighton Center for Service and Justice (CCSJ) is also listed and is a good place to find those non-healthcare related experiences. Volunteering through student organizations, churches, athletics, sororities, and fraternities can give you quality experiences as long as they mean something to you! Ask others what they are doing or start a project of your own!
Searching for service opportunities?
CUMC (Creighton University Medical Center) Volunteer
What: “Volunteers are a vital resource to the hospital. The needs of our society are continually changing, and so are the responsibilities, needs and identity of our volunteer force.” (from website)
For: All pre-medical students
UNMC (University of Nebraska Medical Center) Volunteer
What: “Volunteers serve by helping with essential non-medical duties in over 40 areas of the medical center.” (from website)
For: All pre-medical students
Contact: Volunteer Services 402-559-4197
VA Hospital Volunteer
What: “Volunteers provide many important functions in the outpatient clinics, as drivers and throughout the Medical Center and help make our patients' stay more enjoyable. Volunteers can perform a number of services, and a volunteer's talents are closely matched with one of our many assignments.” (from website)For: All pre-medical students
Contact: Voluntary Services Office 402-995-3283
Boys Town National Research Hospital Childcare Volunteer
What: “Boys Town National Research Hospital’s Center for Childhood Deafness offers families of infants, toddlers and preschool age children a weekly sign language class that teaches signing at an accelerated pace.” (from website) Childcare volunteers are needed during the classes.
For: All pre-medical students
Contact: Teresa McEvoy 402-452-5042
Children’s Hospital Volunteer
What: Whether you work full-time, go to school or are retired, Children's Hospital & Medical Center welcomes your interest in becoming a volunteer. We rely on the generosity of volunteers to help us provide the best care possible to our patients and families.
For: All pre-medical students
Contact: Volunteer Services Department 402-955-4010
Creighton Center for Service and Justice (CCSJ)
What: CCSJ is a great resource for finding non-medically related volunteer opportunities.
Additional Opportunities
Check out Pre-Med Society's opportunites as well.
AspiringDocs.org's Preparing for Medical School also provides additional information.
Back to PMED 100 Homepage or PMED 200 Homepage.