From a young age, Emilie McCaskill says she dreamed of attending the University of Virginia – just like her father, who graduated from UVA in 1998 with a master’s degree in civil engineering.
The rising fourth-year student is now less than a year away from graduating, pursuing a bachelor’s in biochemistry. She is spending her last summer as an undergraduate juggling studying for the MCAT, earning her medical assistant certification and volunteering at UVA Health through Madison House, the University’s independent, nonprofit student volunteer center.
This summer, McCaskill volunteered for Madison House’s medical services group, which coordinates volunteers for UVA Health and surrounding health care facilities. She straddles the roles of friendly visitor and health unit coordinator assistant.
As the program director for summer volunteering, McCaskill oversees all other volunteers on top of her responsibilities. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
The assistant role performs administrative tasks like answering patients’ call bells, restocking medical supplies and generally doing whatever is needed to help the unit run smoothly. “It’s my job to ensure that they’re less busy so they don’t get burned out as much,” she said.
As for the friendly visiting aspect of the volunteering role, she provides companionship to patients, sitting bedside with them. That, she said, has been the most rewarding part of her summer.
“When I first started, I thought of it as something I’m doing for other people, but instead, I’ve learned a lot about myself as well, and just how much a simple task of bringing somebody water can affect their day,” she said. “It’s been really fulfilling to be there for people in the most vulnerable times of their lives.”
She also works as the program director for summer volunteering, coordinating a cohort of other undergraduates volunteering through Madison House. When not volunteering, she can often be found studying for the MCAT and working toward her medical assistant certification.
McCaskill said she plans to take a gap year after graduation, returning home to Roanoke to work as a medical assistant while applying to medical schools.
