USF Pediatrics Reach Out and Read Program

As a pre-health professions student, you can make a positive impact on the lives of children and their families by participating in the Reach Out and Read (ROR) early literacy program in which you can help to foster cognitive and emotional development in young children! See also http://health.usf.edu/medicine/pediatrics/reach-out-read.htm. One of the unique benefits of this program is that after you have served as a volunteer reader for four times, then you can also begin to shadow a pediatrician (~ 2 hours a week), as long as you continue as a volunteer reader! (~ 2 hours a week). This program is available at the USF Health South and Health Park Clinics.

Please contact Ellen Kent, MPH, at ekent@health.usf.edu, to sign up for the summer ROR training session which will be held OFF campus at the new USF Health South building at 2A-Tampa General Drive http://health.usf.edu/NR/rdonlyres/2BD65914-A496-4FCA-8E9B-671956EE5F7B/0/map_south_tampa_center.pdf nearby (but not inside!) Tampa General Hospital : July 2, 3-4 pm. Thank you!

**Please note that this weekly ROR volunteer opportunity takes place off campus, and the required training session also takes place off campus.

LifePath Hospice Volunteer Opportunities

LifePath Hospice Volunteer Opportunities offer a great chance for health professions students to become more involved in their community. Remember, summer is a great way to become immersed in patient contact opportunities and a way to devote more time while you are not taking classes!

Call them today at 813-871-8237 visit www.lifepath-hospice.org for more information.

Patient and Family Support
Volunteers provide emotional support and companionship to LifePath Hospice patients and their families. Home visits are typically two to four hours per week and may involve giving caregivers time off, reading to patients or running errands. Specialty volunteers bring comfort to patients by offering spiritual support, dining assistance, music therapy, hair and nail care, pet visitation and life review legacy projects. Volunteers visit patients in their homes, as well as in our hospice houses, area nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Office Assistance
Volunteers provide clerical assistance and administrative support at our resources centers, pharmacy and medical equipment department.

Children’s Programs
Volunteers assist with providing emotional support to grieving children and teens at the Circle of Love Center for Grieving Children and Camp Circle of Love.

Bereavement Support
Volunteers make condolence phone call to survivors and tell them about bereavement services, provide one-on-one support to survivors who need companionship or facilitate support groups for survivors who are interested in social interaction after the death of their loved ones.

Life’s Treasures Thrift Stores
Volunteers accept donations, sort and price items, stock merchandise and help customers. Volunteers also serve as cashiers and provide office assistance.

Special Events
Volunteers help support fund-raising events.

Ambassador Bureau
Volunteers educate the public regarding LifePath Hospice programs, services and volunteer opportunities at social, civic and religious organizations and at community fairs.