{"id":144098,"date":"2024-11-22T13:12:19","date_gmt":"2024-11-22T18:12:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098//www.ucf.edu/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098//news/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098//?p=144098"},"modified":"2025-04-15T10:42:38","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T14:42:38","slug":"from-passion-to-purpose-a-ucf-students-path-to-global-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098//www.ucf.edu/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098//news/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098//from-passion-to-purpose-a-ucf-students-path-to-global-service/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098//","title":{"rendered":"From Passion to Purpose: A Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ Student/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/u2019s Path to Global Service"},"content":{"rendered":"

From a young age, Charlotte Disney felt a calling to make a difference. Whether it was through local volunteering or supporting close friends and family, her passion for service has always been undeniable. That commitment deepened when she joined International Medical Outreach (IMO) during her freshman year at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/n

Student organizations like International Medical Outreach showcase the global collaboration and learning celebrated during International Education Week, Nov. 18-22./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/n

Through IMO /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/u2014 a student-led nonprofit committed to transforming healthcare in underserved communities worldwide /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/u2014 Disney found a way to combine her love for healthcare and helping others with global service./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/n

From organizing free health clinics and educational workshops in Haiti to constructing pharmacies in remote villages, IMO empowers students like Disney to educate others about healthcare disparities while gaining invaluable cultural and professional experience. Students of any major can become community volunteers, improving upon the sustainability and efficacy of medical care within all areas the organization serves./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/n

For Disney, a second-year biomedical sciences student and IMO community relations officer, it/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/u2019s not just about learning medicine /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/u2014 it/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/u2019s about building bridges, fostering compassion and leaving a legacy of care./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/n

Here she reflects on her beginnings in medicine, her transformative journey with IMO and the positive impact it/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/u2019s had on her personal growth and her future in healthcare./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/n

My grandfather/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/u2019s brain tumor diagnosis sparked my passion for medicine./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/n

My interest in medicine began when my grandfather was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a type of aggressive brain cancer. I vividly remember the shock and fear that took over our family when we first learned of his diagnosis. Over the following months, I watched my grandfather go through numerous treatments /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/u2014 chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/u2014 which were both heartbreaking and inspiring. I was particularly struck by the doctors and nurses who managed his complex medical while also providing him and our family with unwavering emotional support. This experience made me aware of the gaps in access to healthcare, especially for patients facing serious illnesses who may not have strong health insurance or access to care. It inspired me to seek opportunities to learn more about global healthcare challenges, which is why joining IMO felt like the perfect next step./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/n

My first service trip came with unexpected challenges./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/n

Going into my first service trip to Piracicaba, Brazil, I expected to observe the challenges faced in underserved areas and hoped to make a positive impact on people/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/u2019s lives through basic care and education. However, the reality of healthcare in Piracicaba was more complex than I had anticipated. While the community had some healthcare infrastructure, there were significant gaps in access to essential resources, medications and follow-up care. I quickly learned that the challenges weren/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/u2019t just about treating illnesses, but also about education, prevention and long-term community health./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/n

One of the unexpected challenges was language and cultural differences. In rural areas outside of the main city of Piracicaba, I struggled to communicate with citizens who spoke only Portuguese. I adapted by working closely with translators and bilingual members and using non-verbal communication, learning to be more patient and empathetic in those moments. A memorable moment occurred when we observed a physician treating a 20-year-old patient in the ICU who had been involved in a severe motorcycle accident. He had sustained multiple injuries and was in critical condition, with his girlfriend by his side, advocating for his care and providing emotional support despite the overwhelming stress of the situation. Watching the deep bond between them and the relief in her eyes as he made progress was incredibly moving. It underscored the critical role of immediate medical care, as well as the emotional strength that both patients and their families bring to the healing process. This experience highlighted how IMO/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/u2019s work goes beyond just medical education /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/u2014 it/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/u2019s about offering compassionate care that supports both the physical and emotional well-being of patients and their loved ones. This trip taught me the importance of cultural sensitivity, adaptability and the need for sustainable healthcare solutions./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/n

Visiting India deepened my understanding of global health issues./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/144098/n