Teen doesn't let broken leg keep her from volunteering
When Jackie Ong indicated her desire to volunteer in the Medical University Emergency Department, the wheels were set in motion to have her orientation, medical requirements and police background check done long distance.
Jackie
Ong balances on her crutch as Susanne Banks
holds Ong's cast.
Although a teen from Wadmalaw Island, Ong attends boarding school in Arizona and is preparing for a career in medicine. She has already been certified in wilderness first aid, adult CPR and medic first aid.
Ong began her volunteer career not at the Medical University but at another hospital emergency room.
Her experience and abilities are more in line with a college student rather than a high school student. Unlike many people, Ong enjoys the sights and sounds of emergency medicine. The sight of blood does not make her feel light headed or squeamish. She revels in the uniqueness and seriousness of the traumas that she has seen as an observing volunteer.
“I have the greatest respect for the MUSC E.R. staff,” Ong said. “I have learned a lot in just a short time.”
Ong was able to fit in several hours of volunteer time during Thanksgiving vacation and planned to do the same during the Christmas holidays. However, during an equestrian exercise examination, she had the misfortune of breaking a leg in an unexpected fall. Even accomplished horsewomen can have an accident that results in a cast and crutches. A little uncertain if the volunteer policies would prohibit her from volunteering, Ong asked if she could come in.
“She didn’t want to miss one day of volunteering!”said Susanne Banks, volunteer services coordinator. “She is energetic, self-confident and has a wonderful personality. Nothing stops Jackie.”
Although she received the perfunctory ribbing from the E.R. staff, she
was able to help during her vacation and looks forward to coming back during
her next hiatus. Hopefully, without crutches and a cast.
Friday, Nov. 26, 2004
Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated
as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations
for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South
Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107
or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst
Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu
or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community
Press at 849-1778.