The quiet work
behind caring.

During an EMS ride-along, we responded to a call for an unconscious person. In the ambulance, I spoke to him even though he never opened his eyes. I didn’t know whether he could hear me, but I didn’t want him to feel alone.

After we took him to the hospital, there was still work to do. I helped clean the stretcher and prepare the ambulance for the next call.

I began to understand that caring also includes the work people rarely see.

The preparation and cleanup were part of being ready for whoever needed help next. That experience gave my interest in healthcare something concrete to build on: a better understanding of the responsibility behind even a small task.