Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Adriana Mulet-Miranda, a senior undergraduate student, has been volunteering at the Family Community Clinic for over a year. She works as a scribe and interpreter and is motivated by personal reasons. "My dad was a patient of the clinic; it’s a way to give back to those who helped my dad," she explained.

Located in Butchertown near St. Joseph Church, the Family Community Clinic offers free healthcare services to uninsured individuals. Since its inception in 2011, the clinic has served more than 18,000 patients. Last year alone, volunteers assisted over 1,700 patients.

Young-Won Christina Kim, director of volunteer coordination and marketing for the clinic, highlighted their role in bridging healthcare gaps: "We provide healthcare to those who otherwise would not be able to receive care." The clinic operates with volunteers covering 60 to 70 four-hour shifts weekly.

Medical students like Junaid Shahzad have found volunteering beneficial for their education. Starting as an undergraduate without medical knowledge in 2019, Shahzad credits his time at the clinic for enhancing his understanding of medical terminology and conditions. He now helps improve documentation processes at the clinic.

Amanda Jones, another volunteer and second-year medical student, appreciated her summer externship experience at the clinic. She valued working with experienced physicians who shared their knowledge generously: "They want to help the younger generation."

Mulet-Miranda plans to pursue medical school inspired by her interactions with physicians who serve as patient advocates: "A lot of the patients don’t have families here. The clinic is a part of their family."

Volunteering has also exposed students to various barriers in healthcare delivery. Shahzad noted that factors like affordability and transportation affect patient health outcomes beyond clinical symptoms. Jones became aware of language barriers affecting quality care and expressed interest in learning Spanish: "It opened my eyes to want to learn Spanish because of how much (more) patients will tell you."

The Family Community Clinic continues expanding its services with monthly specialty clinics and partnerships with other health organizations like “Have a Heart Clinic” and “Free Smiles Dental Clinic.” They are seeking additional volunteers across various roles including interpreters and providers.

For more information on volunteering opportunities or scheduling appointments at the clinic located at 1420 E. Washington St., visit famcomclinic.org/volunteer or call 384-8444 during operating hours.