Zara Rehan

As a medical assistant, I supported outpatient care by rooming patients, obtaining vital signs, reviewing medical histories, and assisting providers during clinic visits. I documented patient information in the electronic medical record, helped coordinate follow-up care, managed administrative tasks, and maintained a clean and organized clinical environment. Through this role, I gained extensive patient exposure and learned how primary care addresses a wide range of concerns, from routine visits to chronic disease management. Working closely with patients taught me the importance of attentiveness, accuracy, and communication, as small details often directly affect patient care and safety. Caring for patients in this setting was deeply fulfilling and reinforced my commitment to patient-centered care, while strengthening my ability to be detail-oriented, reliable, and responsive to patients’ needs.

As a volunteer with Hope Impacts’ Homeless Outreach Supper & Showers Program, I worked directly with individuals experiencing homelessness in a structured community outreach setting. I assisted with meal service, shower coordination, setup and cleanup, and distribution of basic necessities while helping maintain a respectful, welcoming environment. Beyond support, I served as a point of human connection by greeting clients, providing guidance through the program, and ensuring each individual was treated with dignity. This experience exposed me to the daily challenges faced by unhoused individuals and reinforced the importance of compassion, consistency, and trust in community-based service.

I volunteered extensively with Bread of Life, Inc. and Wesley Community Center, supporting large-scale food distribution and daily food pantry operations for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. My work included organizing donated food and household supplies, packing and preparing food boxes, assisting with drive-through and walk-up distributions, and maintaining a clean, welcoming pantry environment. I also participated in community garden initiatives, helping plant and harvest produce that was donated directly to families in need. Seeing the immediate relief and gratitude from those receiving food made the impact of this work tangible and deeply meaningful to me, reinforcing the importance of consistent, community-based efforts in addressing food insecurity and supporting overall well-being.

Served as a central point of support for both residents and staff, coordinating daily operations at the front desk while ensuring residents’ needs were consistently met. My responsibilities included organizing tasks for administrative and care staff, assisting residents with meal ordering, medical supplies, pharmacy coordination, transportation, scheduling medical appointments, and completing household tasks to support daily living.

I built close, meaningful relationships with residents, many of whom were living with dementia, physical disabilities, or chronic illness. I took pride in being a dependable presence—someone residents could talk to and rely on for companionship and support. I communicated regularly with families, ensured nurses and aides were aware of residents’ individual needs, and helped maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment.

This experience taught me that caring for older adults extends far beyond medical needs and requires empathy, patience, and advocacy. Serving as both a Resident Assistant and volunteer, I came to see the nursing home as a family and valued my role as the “heart” of the residence—helping ensure that no resident felt overlooked or alone. This role strengthened my commitment to serving vulnerable populations and reinforced the profound impact of compassion and human connection in healthcare.

I volunteered over 200 hours with Project C.U.R.E., this addressed the global health equity issue of medical resources around the world. As part of this humanitarian initiative, I worked with a coordinated team to prepare and load containers filled with donated medical supplies, each container representing resources for hospitals and clinics worldwide. My role involved sorting medical equipment and supplies, organizing inventory for efficient storage and access. Through this work, I gained firsthand insight into global health disparities and complexity behind medical relief efforts. Contributing to shipments that would directly support patient care abroad reinforced the importance of service, teamwork, and strengthened my commitment to addressing health inequities beyond the clinical setting.

At Joycare Pediatrics, a pediatric center serving medically complex and critically ill children, I cared for children with severe physical disabilities, paralysis, autoimmune and neurological diseases, and other complex medical conditions, learning firsthand the importance of tailoring care to each child’s unique medical and developmental needs. I worked with healthcare professionals on clinical procedures such as assisting with catheter care, IV placement, supporting individualized meal planning, and providing hygienic care for patients with limited mobility or neurological impairment. I maintained patient records for accurate documentation of health information, treatment plans, and communication with parents. Working closely with this vulnerable population deepened my understanding of what compassionate, patient-centered care truly means, particularly for individuals who depend on consistent advocacy and specialized support. This experience strengthened my desire to use my clinical skills to serve people with disabilities and reinforced the impact that attentive, individualized care can have on both patients and their families. Working closely with this vulnerable population deepened my understanding of what compassionate, patient-centered care truly means, particularly for individuals who depend on consistent advocacy and specialized support. This experience strengthened my desire to use my clinical skills to serve people with disabilities, and reinforced the impact that attentive, individualized care can have on both patients and their families.

As a hospice volunteer, I provided support to geriatric patients facing life-limiting illnesses as well as nurses. I assisted with feeding and comfort care, listened to patients’ needs, and served as a consistent presence during a vulnerable period. Collaborated with nurses and care team members with creating activities for the patients. Through this experience, I gained insight into living with advanced chronic and terminal diagnoses outside the hospital setting and learned the importance of compassionate, patient-centered care. This role deeply shaped my understanding of human dignity and reinforced my commitment to caring for patients through all stages of life.

I served as both a general hospital volunteer and a NICU volunteer, working with a team of volunteers and a unit coordinator to support the daily needs of patients, families, and clinical staff. In the NICU, I assisted nurses with non-clinical tasks, such as organizing paperwork, filing, and maintaining a clean, safe environment to facilitate efficient patient care. Through exposure to the unit, I gained insight into caring for newborns, including screenings, protocols, and tests required to ensure neonatal and maternal health. I also supported mothers by delivering meals, blankets, and essential supplies. Learning the importance of compassionate and family-centered care impacted my experience. Outside the NICU, I volunteered in the hospital kitchen delivering meals in accordance with dietary restrictions and assisted with patient direction throughout the hospital, further strengthening my communication skills and understanding of hospital operations.

As a tutor at Kumon, I provided individualized instruction in mathematics and reading, tailoring lessons to each student’s learning pace and needs. I developed coursework, tracked academic progress, and communicated regularly with parents to support student growth. In addition to tutoring, I assisted with community outreach and trained new tutors, reinforcing effective instructional techniques. Teaching children and witnessing their confidence and skills develop strengthened my passion for education and affirmed my commitment to advancing learning through personalized, supportive instruction.