Serving the displaced and locals of Grand Rapids (needs editing)
“Part of the nursing curriculum at Calvin is seeing others as children of God,” Samantha Orozco ‘14 said. “In my nursing classes at Calvin, we always had that spiritual [aspect]. We acknowledge the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual in our patients.”
Orozco, who earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing with a minor in Spanish, now puts that mentality into practice at Health Intervention Services (HIS), where she has been a clinical nurse since May 2015.
HIS’ mission is to reflect the spirit of Christ by providing compassionate, accessible health care while promoting a collaborative community where accessible, quality healthcare promotes wellness for all. “We’re trying to outreach to the [Grand Rapids] neighborhood and offer them our services for medical, dental, counseling, psychiatric and vision [needs]. We want the neighborhood to see that we can be their medical home,” Orozco said.
At HIS, Orozco works in triage, refills and dispenses medications, assists the doctor and teaches a class about diabetes. And with over 60 percent of HIS patients being Spanish-speaking, Orozco is able to use her Spanish on a regular basis, too.
Her expertise, though, is in working with refugee patients.
“Kent County seizes refugees and Bethany Christian Services sends us clients—that’s where I come in,” Orozco said. “I register them, schedule an appointment for them and schedule an interpreter as well. I make sure the patient comes to the appointment, and I’m in charge of any follow-up.”
Orozco’s experiences and responsibilities at HIS didn’t begin in May 2015, though: In fall 2012, she volunteered as a nursing student for six to ten hours a week, helping take vital signs and handling patient intake.
Orozco’s nursing education at Calvin, along with her volunteer time at HIS, prepared her well in becoming a clinical nurse. And with experience helping the Multicultural Student Development Office with events and being a Spanish department conversation leader, she has been all the more helpful at HIS.
In addition to her unique responsibilities at HIS, Ororzco enjoys how close the staff is. “We’re such a small staff that we’re like family now,” she said. “Working with people that you know well enough to call friends is really nice.”
Orozco hopes to continue working with HIS and come alongside the health center with their goal of expansion, and possibly teaching more classes to empower clients. “At the end of the day, helping someone in need is one of my great achievements,” she said.
For current and future Calvin students, Orozco encourages a holistic investment in their time at Calvin: “Take advantage of all the resources available, and don’t over-stress. Enjoy the moment and learn as much as you can, because you will be putting it into effect later on.”