11/30/2011 Translation Experience

On Monday November 28, 2011, I volunteered at the San Jose Clinic with the dermatology staff as a translator. I saw surgical procedures involved in benign mole and syringoma removal with a derma-knife, chemical peels to treat hyper-pigmentation, and the use of an epilation needle for syringoma treatment. In most of these cases, the patients needed a translator to better interpret what they want to say or to better understand a doctor's explanation.

Compared to volunteer experiences with endocrinology and neurology, dermatology usually sees patients who do not have very severe, critical conditions. However, I learned from the dermatologist the importance of the work they do at the San Jose clinic. One part is to teach the residents in dermatology how to do procedures such as chemical peels for acne and hyper pigmentation and epilation needles for syringomas. The doctor also taught me that the preservation of facial anatomy is also very important in people because the face is very important in social presentation, and having a disfigurement on the face, no matter how benign, affects the person's self-worth and possibly how people see the person. Since people that come to the clinic make an income that is at least 2.5 times below the poverty line, it is very unlikely that they would be able to afford the treatments anywhere else. The clinic provides the opportunity for these patients to get treatments that are usually out of their reach and for new dermatologists to receive training in dermatological procedures, practice in learning Spanish, and an opportunity to help the community.

I have really enjoyed my volunteer experience at the San Jose Clinic. Even thought this post concludes my volunteer requirements and further volunteering will probably not affect my application to medical school, I will be volunteering at the clinic at least once a week until I start medical school. I have learned that there is a real need for translators and Spanish speaking medical staff, especially in places were the poverty level is high and with few affordable options for treatment. I am very happy to have had the opportunity to work at this clinic and I have seen the impact of my work there from both patients and staff. I will look forward to another nine months of volunteering there.


Signing off,

Eduardo Mulanovich