Community volunteer highlight: Ann Shim
How do you go from advertising to healthcare access? Ask Ann Shim. Her journey from an account manager with a San Francisco-based pregnancy-and-parenting website to a Project Access NOW community volunteer revolved around health.
When Ann moved to Portland in the summer of 2008, she was looking for a career change. She has volunteered at Project Access NOW since last summer.
“I discovered the organization through the Hands On Greater Portland website where I was looking for volunteer opportunities,” Ann said. “It sounded like they were doing really important things. I visited with Lorraine [Williams] to inquire, and I got totally hooked.”
Ann is enrolled in OHSU’s Graduate Certificate in Public Health program and plans to eventually earn a master’s degree in public health. Volunteering with Project Access NOW gives her the practical experience angle and connections to the local community.
At Project Access NOW, Ann spends 6 hours a week working with Margaret Lamb and the Pharmacy Bridge program. Ann’s responsibilities include helping patients enroll with the Medication Assistance Program, following up with patients, doctors, and drug companies, as well as other medication-related assistance.
It doesn’t take much to get Ann to talk about her experience volunteering at Project Access NOW.
“Coming from the corporate world, I had this perception that you needed to work one on one with people to make an impact. I didn’t realize how much of a difference you can make for people even while in an office environment.
“It’s so enjoyable to work at a really great organization with a wonderful group of people. Everything and everyone works together. Everyone is here because they want to be here and because they believe in what they do. I recommend volunteering here.”
(February 2010)
