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Students Making Illness a Little Easier (SMILE)

Feb 10, 2025

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The Students Making Illness a Little Easier (SMILE) program by MarinHealth is a year-long volunteer initiative designed for high school students, aged 16 and over, who are seriously considering a career in the medical field. The program has a very limited size with only ten spots available, making it highly competitive. The main objective of the program is to make the hospital experience a little easier for patients, hence the name SMILE. Volunteers in the SMILE program distribute a cart filled with items ranging from games and magazines to personal items like lip balm or hand cream. They also offer free coffee, tea, and cookies on weekday mornings. This contributes to the well-being of the patients and provides a unique opportunity for the student volunteers to interact with patients and learn about their needs. The program is delivered in-person at the MarinHealth Medical Center. Accepted volunteers are assigned one permanent 2-hour shift per week, from Monday to Friday, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm. The best time to apply for the program is between January and March each year, indicating a yearly cycle for the program. The selection for the SMILE program is based on various factors including the applicant's education and career interests, availability, personal accountability, and communication skills. It is crucial that students demonstrate a high level of commitment and reliability in their application to be considered for the program. Upon completion of the SMILE program, students will have gained valuable experience in patient interaction and understanding the needs of hospital patients, which can be beneficial for their future careers in the medical field.

written by

Rishab Jain

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