AmeriCorps – Shelter Health Educator – 2025

In my undergraduate public health courses, we often discussed how the current U.S. healthcare system is not built to serve all individuals who need care equitably. I learned about the difficulties in navigating the system, complications with insurance, and lack of cultural competency. I saw various instances of this in my medical assistant positions while in school. But when I began my AmeriCorps role in September of 2024, it was clearer than ever, and I began to realize just how major the problem was. Beyond that, I learned there was something I could do about it. While in school, I believed there was no real way to ease these systemic issues as a healthcare worker, thinking only politicians or high-ranking medical directors could have an impact. Throughout my service term, I had the opportunity to prove my expectations wrong.

I served as a patient care coordinator, helping those who didn’t have access to a cell phone or stable housing schedule appointments or accompanying them to pharmacies or clinic visits. Though San Francisco has many resources available, things like insurance and specialty appointments remain challenging to navigate. Often, the average person is expected to know the ins and outs of the multiple layers of insurance plans. We must learn to make the system work for our patients. It is our duty as members of the healthcare team. This week, it’s like regularly calling the orthopedic surgery appointment line at the general hospital to make an appointment for a patient who can barely walk due to an injured knee. Another week, it could be an hour-long wait at a CVS pharmacy to pick up a patients’ meds. Whatever it looks like, whatever it takes, we will continue to work to ensure everyone has an equitable opportunity to be seen at a hospital or clinic because healthcare is a human right.