LEAD speaker encourages students to serve others
A personal loss helped McKayla Bedwell discover the lasting impact of volunteering, a message she shared with Meridian Community College students during a recent Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) session.
Bedwell serves as the volunteer service coordinator at AccentCare. During her talk, she focused on how volunteering can strengthen both individuals and the community.
“Definitely the opportunities,” Bedwell said. “They’re not only for medical students. They’re there for the community as well. It helps better the community.”
Bedwell said hospice organizations are always in need of volunteers and that there is room for people with a wide range of interests and skill sets. Volunteers can work directly with patients and families or assist in office settings, among other tasks. Hospice volunteering can also begin at a young age, with opportunities to assist in the office and learn basic job skills such as phone etiquette and communication.
“To work in hospice, you have to have a heart for it,” Bedwell said. “But when you truly understand hospice, you see the benefits. You’re not only helping the patient, but you’re helping the families.”
Bedwell said her connection to hospice care is personal. She first encountered hospice when her mother was placed in hospice care.
“That’s where I grew my love for hospice,” she said.
A Meridian Community College alumna, Bedwell earned a degree in dental assisting from MCC and worked in the field for about a year and a half. After her mother’s experience with hospice, she said she found her calling and shifted her career path.
Volunteers play an important role in hospice care, Bedwell said, stepping in where needs arise and offering support during difficult times.
“We help the patient and family and assist when a special need comes up,” she said.
Bedwell acknowledged that hospice volunteering is not for everyone, but she encouraged students to consider it as a learning experience.
“It’s a valuable experience,” she said. “You truly understand what hospice is and what we do for patients. Volunteering helps develop personal skills, professional skills, and even networking.”
LEAD sessions are held monthly and are open to MCC students, faculty, and staff. The sessions are designed to help build leadership skills and support personal and professional growth.
The next LEAD session will be held Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. in the Quave Center.
For more information about LEAD, contact Ellie Winter Williams, lead coordinator for housing and student activities, at 601.484.8878 or Ellie.Winter@meridiancc.edu.