Jacob Hamaker

Driven medical student, eager to pursue a healthcare career through all available opportunities. Detail-oriented and academically successful, with a strong passion for medicine and the human body. Extensive experience in hospital settings and a genuine dedication to global health, with a solid history of serving underserved and underrepresented communities, both domestically and internationally.

• ROOTS Homeless Shelter Volunteer (March 2020-August 2020, 8 hours per week): Volunteered at ROOTS Homeless Shelter twice per week. Designated responsibilities include sanitation, bathroom sign ups, food/ bedding distribution, and guest entertainment/ interaction.
• ROOTS Homeless Shelter Lead Volunteer/ Evening Supervisor (August 2020- September 2021, 10 hours per week): Volunteered as a lead volunteer/ evening supervisor twice per week. Helped guide new volunteers by teaching them routine tasks, orienting them to the shelter, and introducing them to regular guests. Also responsible for signing guests in and screening them for COVID-19.
• ROOTS Leadership Committee Community Outreach Coordinator (March 2020 - September 2020, 10 hours per week) : ROOTS Homeless Shelter and the University of Washington IFC helped establish an 8 member committee to help transition the homeless shelter into their new location near the University. The committee also helped run donation drives and create thousands of volunteer opportunities for students, strengthening the perspective of our community as a whole. I was the community outreach coordinator, sending emails and letters to various members of the community making them aware of our cause as well as facilitating shift sign ups and advertising donation drives.
• ROOTS Leadership Committee Co-President (September 2020-2022, 12 hours per week): After serving as outreach community coordinator, I was subsequently elected to president. As president I ran the committee, managed goals, provided oversight, and communicated with many important University officials. Throughout my 2 years as president, we raised over $25,000 and provided thousands of volunteer opportunities.
• Tanzania Volunteer with GLA (2 weeks in 2018): Volunteered in Moshi, Tanzania teaching English while going into my senior year of high school. Great exposure to global health and helped me develop a keen interest for learning new cultures and serving internationally.
• Zambia Volunteer with IVHQ (4 weeks in 2020): Volunteered in Livingstone, Zambia teaching English while simultaneously constructing schools. Developed incredible relationships with the locals, gained perspective, and found a love for their culture.
• Zambia Volunteer part 2 (7 weeks in 2021): Returned to Zambia on my own via previous relationships made in country. Taught English at the same primary school and spent time strengthening relationships with the same community.
• Rural Ghana Medical Volunteer (4 weeks in 2021): Volunteered in Frankadua, Ghana as a medical volunteer. My tasks ranged from the following: taking vitals at the local clinic, conducting malaria blood tests at local schools and surrounding villages/ providing needed treatment, wound care outreach, and teaching sexual education/ sanitation classes at local schools (focused on development/HIV/ malaria).
• Urban Ghana Medical Volunteer (3 weeks in 2021): Volunteered in Kumasi, Ghana as a medical volunteer. Worked in a large hospital aside various acting physicians. I was able to shadow many providers during surgeries and gain in depth knowledge of the Ghanian healthcare system. By the end of my service, I was even able to give ultrasounds and assist pregnancies.
• Turkey Public Health Outreach Volunteer (6 weeks in 2023): In Turkey, I spent 6 weeks at a rehabilitation center working to promote mental health awareness within the local community. I partnered with local non-profits and stakeholders to create and implement a project that addressed the issue of mental health, which was presumingly elevated due to the recent devastating earthquake. I also be hosted various workshops on non-communicable diseases, substance abuse, healthy habits, kindness, and English grammar.

• Sports (Basketball, Soccer, Football, baseball)
• Hiking/ Backpacking
• Traveling
• Different cultures
• Music
• Working with children