Making a Difference: The Free Clinic Extraordinary Volunteers
I volunteer at The Free Clinic because I really value helping underserved patient
populations and contributing where there is a need. Also, wanting to be a doctor and
see patients, I felt that The Free Clinic was great for getting experience in the
field that I wanted to go into. I always loved shadowing even before medical school,
but The Free Clinic is like a step-up from shadowing. I also like the teaching aspect
of the clinic, because I am in a position to mentor students. Overall, I feel it has
given me, from the beginning of medical school, a taste of what residency is going
to be like.
Nothing can beat the time when I was able to diagnose a problem and had to send a
patient directly to the emergency room. If the team had not diagnosed the person,
I honestly believe that person could have died shortly thereafter. This first experience
of putting my medical training to such good use will stay with me.
I have learned how to practice medicine at The Free Clinic. I haven't had any other
experience that has given me the freedom to figure out patient care and not just following
instructions. The experience has given me confidence that I can be a practicing physician.
Abigail Buckholz, is a fourth-year medical student from Carlsbad, New Mexico. She earned her Bachelor of Science in biological sciences: neuroscience, and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, with minors in music and chemistry. She plans to compete a double residency in psychiatry and internal medicine or family medicine.
Related Stories
Willed Body Memorial Service Honors Those Who Donated
On Memorial Day each May, a service is conducted at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Institute of Anatomical Sciences to pay respect to the Willed Body Program donors and their families.
Molecular Pathology Preceptorship: Unmatched Value and Experience
Ericka Hendrix, PhD, MB(ASCP)CM, Program Director and Associate Professor in the Master of Science in Molecular Pathology program in the School of Health Professions spoke about the program’s preceptorship.
Moseley Named Permian Basin Regional Dean of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing
Kelly Moseley, DHSc, R.N., has been named the TTUHSC School of Nursing regional dean in the Permian Basin.
Recent Stories
TTUHSC Teams Selected for 2025 Innosphere Life Sciences Accelerator Cohort
A pair of teams representing TTUHSC earned a spot among the 33 startup groups selected for the 2025 cohort of the Innosphere Life Sciences Accelerator.
Exploring New Frontiers in Patient Care
Jenna Kesey, Ph.D., associate managing director for the Clinical Research Institute (CRI) at TTUHSC, said it's important that the university provides opportunities for its patients to have access to innovative therapies through the clinical trial process.
Willed Body Memorial Service Honors Those Who Donated
On Memorial Day each May, a service is conducted at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Institute of Anatomical Sciences to pay respect to the Willed Body Program donors and their families.