SOAR365 is proud to partner with four local academic institutions to provide hands-on learning opportunities for medical students.
Medically skilled volunteers make an incredibly important contribution to our Adult Day Support program – and in return the students are learning and growing in their profession. It’s a win-win partnership! SOAR365 has been lucky to work with skilled volunteers from not one, but four local academic institutions.
South University
Since 2020, South University’s Richmond Physician Assistant Program has sent 36 Physician Assistant students to SOAR365 each quarter to serve as skilled interns. The students work directly with our staff and Adult Day Support participants across all our site locations to provide fun, engaging care and support. To recognize their dedication, the program received the SOAR365 Volunteer Group of the Year award.
“Volunteering with individuals with disabilities allows our students to better understand how to serve patient populations as future healthcare providers,” explained Shannon Schellenberg, Program Director and Associate Professor. “This experience will help them become attuned to the needs of future patients.”
Randolph-Macon College
Each week, nursing students from Randolph-Macon College visit SOAR365’s Saunders Avenue location to work directly with Adult Day Support participants. The students promote well-being with activities that improve movement, engage the mind, and encourage healthy eating habits.
Meredith McGuire, MSN, RN, CPNP is the Clinical Assistant Professor in the RMC Department of Nursing. She is excited about the benefits this new internship program creates for her students and Adult Day Support participants.
“The Randolph-Macon nursing program develops resilient nurse leaders prepared to practice innovatively in a dynamic healthcare environment,” she explained. “The nursing students at SOAR365 are juniors or seniors who apply clinical prevention approaches and health promotion activities to provide effective nursing care to adults with disabilities.”
Bon Secours
Bon Secours’ nursing students started volunteering at SOAR365 in 2024, with 18 students completing 40 hours of service with the Adult Day Support program at all locations. The students participated in activities, crafts, and even lead their own health-centered learning activities, teaching participants about proper handwashing, white coat syndrome, and more.
“Volunteering at SOAR365 was one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences. Throughout my time volunteering, I had the privilege of leading daily lessons and building meaningful friendships with participants. This experience not only enhanced my understanding of disability services but also provided me with invaluable life lessons,” said Mia Jones, Student at Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing.
Eastern Virginia Career College
In 2021, Eastern Virginia Career College began sending three Occupational Therapy Assistant students for their Level 1 rotation at Camp Baker. In the past, EVCC students have done both a few hours of observation and eight-week rotations for more of a hands-on experience, adding great support to the Adult Day program.
“We strongly believe academic programs cannot fully educate future Occupational Therapy practitioners without the integration of classroom knowledge and practicing skills through experiences at SOAR365 and other facilities. The EVCC OTA faculty believes in the power of occupation and demonstration of professional behaviors by students to maximize their learning on fieldwork experiences,” says Kelly Pennock, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for the School of Nursing of Allied Sciences.
If you or your organization are interested in volunteering with SOAR365, click here for more information.