Volunteer Spotlight: Stephen F., MKHC Interpreter and Medical Scribe

When Stephen, an NIH post-bac with a strong interest in health care and foreign languages, first learned about MKHC, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for him. He began his volunteer work interpreting for Spanish-speaking patients, a role that immediately connected him to MKHC’s mission of serving uninsured individuals from diverse backgrounds.   “You’re kind of an ally for the patient in a way. You can have a profound impact on their experience. That’s what drew me to interpreting.”  

When MKHC began adding providers to its pro bono medical staff, a new volunteer opportunity emerged: medical scribes to take notes during patient visits so physicians can focus fully on care. Stephen took the initiative to work with a departing medical student to learn the basics of scribing but eventually found himself learning on the fly. “Some doctors prefer to focus on ‘doctoring’ and let someone else take the notes,” Stephen explains, adding that he finds the work deeply meaningful.  

His ability to speak Spanish helps while scribing during patient visits, as he can step in and clear up misunderstandings that may arise. He’s witnessed firsthand the life-changing care MKHC provides.  “I’ve seen patients go from ‘you’re going to get your foot amputated’ to ‘I’m walking the best I ever have.’ Others have been diagnosed with cancer and connected to treatment,” he explains. “People are alive today because of these clinics.” 

Now, Stephen spends his Tuesday mornings scribing, while also helping train other volunteers to ensure that scribes are available every day of the week. 

MKHC’s Managing Director Carmen Lezama has witnessed Stephen’s growth during his time at MKHC, and is excited to work with him for another year. She believes the opportunity is a win-win, as future medical students gain invaluable hands-on experience in the medical field while serving a highly underserved population. “I’m deeply grateful for Stephen’s dedication and contributions. It’s inspiring to see how this experience is helping to shape a future exceptional healthcare physician researcher, committed to improving the lives and health of those he serves.” 

Stephen’s experience interpreting and scribing at MKHC has shaped his outlook and inspired his future work. While he had shadowed physicians before, the patients at MKHC made a strong impression on him as he listened and translated their stories during appointments. “It’s a very moving experience and puts things into perspective,” he says. As he applies for his next role as a physician scientist, he hopes to one day work in a lab doing research and helping to develop affordable, effective treatments that can reach people who lack resources. “[Volunteering at] MKHC is super insightful because it shows you what kind of doctor to be and what kind of scientist to be. You get perspective on working with different [kinds of people.]”  

He summarized the impact of his time at MKHC as “I’ve learned that I have more to learn,” stating that MKHC has been the first step to helping him realize that he needs to learn more and do more. “At certain points you can think ‘I think I know what I want to do,’ then you move across the country and volunteer, and you’re like ‘Actually I had no idea what medicine is like, what the world is like.’” 

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