During the COVID-19 pandemic, my role at the research lab slowed down and it allowed me time to work at Grant Medical Center as a patient safety aide. As hospitals were struggling with the sheer amount of COVID patients, I worked as an safety aide to provide 1:1 care for patient who are at risk for self harm and elopement. Being able to work in one of central Ohio’s biggest hospital allowed me to work with a diverse population. I works mainly in the emergency department, cardiac surgical floor, and the trauma floor.

My most memorable story from my time as a safety aide there was when I was sitting with a middle aged man on the trauma floor after multiple attempts of self mutilation. We spent my shift talking about whatever he wanted and when he opened up and explained why he did what he did. From this job, I learned that connecting with the patients is a key role in what medicine is and learning about them and their “whys” can help me better connect with them. Trust is earned through conversations. Being a safety aide has help me build on communication skills and learn to work with a diverse group of people.