Give your pre-med studies real-world context.
Unfortunately, with volunteering still suspended at our hospital partner locations due to COVID-19 safety precautions, we have decided not to host the program for the August 2021- May 2022 program session. We anticipate accepting applications once again in April 2022 for the next session (August 2022 – May 2023), so please check back if you are interested at that time.
Are you taking a gap year before entering Medical School? At Ronald McDonald House Houston, we offer a volunteer opportunity for highly motivated pre-med students who are taking time between college graduation and medical school matriculation to research school options and study for the MCATs. The RMH Houston Gap Year Program offers a chance to make good use of that time as you explore healthcare options and gain hands-on family-centered care experience as part of a small cohort of like-minded pre-med students. You will provide direct comfort and care to families of patients in the Pediatric Inpatient Oncology unit at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital. As you provide food and snacks for them, initiate conversations that cultivate community, facilitate family activities, carry out operations of our in-unit kitchen, overnight bedrooms, and lounges, you curate a home away from home in the middle of a hospital unit, when family members most need support.
From this unique view, a nonprofit program housed within a hospital, you’ll learn and strengthen skills in active listening, cross-cultural understanding, and empathetic communication which will help equip you to be a physician with quality bedside manner. In addition to gaining familiarity and serving alongside non-profit and healthcare professionals in the Inpatient Pediatric Oncology Unit at MD Anderson, you will have the opportunity to attend talks and join discussions throughout the year at various TMC member institutions as well as form an MCAT study group with other cohort members.
We would love to hear from you if you are: a pre-med candidate studying for the MCATs or awaiting matriculation at medical school. The right candidates will be empathetic, effective communicators, motivated self-starters and team players who are responsive to the needs of others.
Minimum Commitment: 320 hours total. Two three-hour hospitality volunteer shifts per week, two three hour Family Activity hosting shifts per month, with additional opportunities for talks, discussions and study groups. Shifts available Monday through Friday between 9 am and 9 pm.
Program Length: 10 months – August 2020 through May 2021.
How to Apply:
The RMH Houston Gap Year Program is a small, competitive volunteer program, with limited spots available. Applications will be accepted April 1, 2020 – April 30, 2020.
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- Click Here to fill out volunteer application noting you are applying for the Gap Year program
- Send resume’ to volunteer@rmhhouston.org
Applications without corresponding resume’ will not be considered.
We are unable to interview every applicant. Applicants will receive an email acknowledgement indicating whether or not they have been selected for an interview. Interviews will take place in the last two weeks of May 2020.