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JBSA News
NEWS | Aug. 16, 2012

San Antonio Military Medical Center recognizes youth volunteers

By Marsha Huffman Brooke Army Medical Center Public Affairs

A group of teens were recognized and honored for their volunteer services this summer at San Antonio Military Medical Center Aug. 6.

The ceremony, hosted by Brooke Army Medical Center volunteer services coordinator Michael Dulevitz, along with Col. Noel Cardenas, SAMMC deputy commander for administration, acknowledged their commitment and administrative support to their respective departments.

"Next year, we plan on increasing the numbers so we can be bigger and better," Cardenas added.

The program, started by the Office of Volunteer Services, brought 66 high school teens with more than 35 assigned supervisors throughout the medical center.

"The supervisors and staff of BAMC step forward each year to open their doors to the youth volunteers to provide a hands-on experience for young teens who are interested in the medical field," Dulevitz said. "After their experiences here, they make better choices in their potential medical career path after high school."

A soon-to-be 11th grader at Trinity Christian Academy, Aralexis Hargrove was one of the 66 teens that were recognized during the ceremony.

In her first year volunteering, Hargrove served at SAMMC's ear, nose and throat clinic, where she gained knowledge on how an endoscopic throat exam was performed.

"It was really interesting seeing it (endoscopic throat exam)," she said. "I found out that I'm not queasy to certain things."

Sarah Hughes worked in the pulmonary clinic and aspires to be either a veterinarian or work in the medical field.

Hargrove and Hughes praised the people in their departments for their warmth and friendliness.

"Everyone liked my hard work while I was there, so it made me happy," Hughes said.

Both teens will be enrolling in the program next year.

For more information about the volunteer program, call the BAMC Office of Volunteer Services at 210-916-5388.