For more than 35 years, Janet Raber, B.S.N., RN, served as a clinical instructor for Physical Diagnosis Lab sessions for NEOMED College of Medicine students. Over the last three decades, she also helped administer clinical skills assessments, volunteered at MEDCAMP, and helped third-year medicine students prepare to enter the clinical environment through what is known as “M3 Boot Camp.”
In July 2019, Raber joined NEOMED and the SOAR Student-Run Free Clinic part-time as its first manager, thanks to support from multimillion-dollar grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program.
Learn more about Raber and her new role.
Tell us about yourself, Janet.
JR: I'm married with two children. My daughters are 25 and 30. One daughter is a vet tech and she volunteers at the Medina Raptor Center, a rescue rehab and release program for owls and hawks, so it's not unusual for us to have an injured owl or hawk in our home at any given time. My other daughter works for Playhouse Square in Cleveland, so I get to see quite a few of the productions, which is awesome. They're both wonderful girls.
You’re no stranger to the SOAR Clinic. Tell us about your history with the Clinic.
JR: When the SOAR Student-Run Free Clinic opened its doors to the community in 2016, I helped teach students how to draw blood and provide information on diabetes education. In my current role as the Clinic’s manager, I support the students in their day-to-day duties, help connect patients with specialists and manage a large portion of the Clinic’s paperwork and administrative tasks. I also have the opportunity to practice direct patient care as a member of the education team.
You mentioned that the SOAR Clinic aligns with your personal mission. Tell us more.
JR: It’s a perfect fit. Just like our students, I have a passion for serving the underserved. I volunteer with my church’s A Stich and A Prayer group and parish nursing program, the Lake County Clergy Association food pantry and at the Hartville Migrant Clinic, where I help welcome migrant workers when they arrive.
What do you enjoy most about the SOAR Clinic?
JR: Working with the students is so rewarding. They are phenomenal, especially their work ethic, volunteerism and their social aptitude. They’re very socially conscious.