Third-year medical student Daniel Valladares and fourth-year medical student Olgert Bardhi, from the University of Florida chapter of the COVID-19 Student Service Corps, recently spearheaded a new program that enables medical and physician assistant students to assist front-line health care workers in Gainesville emergency departments during this unprecedented pandemic.

“Right now, the department is always busy and stacked with patients,” Bardhi said. “This latest wave of COVID seems to be hitting really hard, and it feels personal because most people know someone who’s been affected by this.”

Through the new volunteer program, students in their first year of studies all the way through their fourth year can sign up for a four-hour shift, any day of the week, to assist in the UF Health emergency department, as well as two free-standing UF Health emergency departments in Springhill and Kanapaha.

Third-year medical student Luderve Rosier was eager to work inside the bustling emergency department at UF Health Shands Hospital after shadowing physicians there over the summer. 

“When I thought about physicians as I first started medical school, the busy environment in the emergency department is what came to mind,” she said.  

Though usually clinical rotations in the emergency department are reserved for fourth-year students, Rosier and others have a chance to help during this busy time. Rising COVID-19 hospitalization rates across the nation in recent months, including at UF Health, have kept emergency care staff endlessly occupied as they work to care for patients. 

Students can visit the sign-up form online.

Student volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, be fit-tested for an N95 mask by UF Health and must be comfortable taking vitals in the emergency department.

In addition to taking patients’ blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation levels, volunteers might assist with EKGs, transport patients to imaging services and otherwise help nurses and paramedics with patient care.

Valladares said more than 120 students signed up to volunteer within a week of the form going live.

“I was surprised to see how quickly it took off,” he said. “It really shows how much the students are aware of the seriousness of the pandemic and willing to help.”

Rosier, the third-year medical student who’s interested in emergency medicine, is among the first group of volunteers.

“I’m glad we’ve been given this opportunity because it feels like even as students, we’re able to help,” she said. “Even if it’s something as simple as getting a patient water or an extra blanket, that’s improving the comfort of their stay.”

Meredith Thompson, M.D., a UF College of Medicine assistant professor and clerkship director for the department of emergency medicine, said her department is grateful for the students deciding to step in when they see an opportunity to help.

“Our department is just thankful, and we admire the students’ altruism,” she said.