NEOMED students are "buddies" to pediatric oncology patients
The Buddy Program at Akron Children’s Hospital pairs medical students who have a special interest in hematology and oncology with patients and families. Through the program, students have a chance to get to know patients on a more personal level and gain important skills to become better doctors. Patients (and their families) have a chance to build new relationships.
Gabriel Mekis, a second-year student in the NEOMED College of Medicine, learned about the program at the student organization fair during his M1 year. He joined through the Oncology Interest Group (OIG).
“The Akron Children’s – OIG Buddy Program has been one of the most valuable club programs I have been a part of here at NEOMED,” he shared. “My background in oncology research really drove me to want to get more hands-on in medical school, and I saw myself going into pediatrics already, so there was no question about me joining.”
Jack Mathis also joined the Buddy Program during his M1 year. “When I was first looking for extracurriculars to get involved in last year, the Buddy Program was something that stood out to me early in my M1 year. I have an interest in both oncology and pediatrics so that was a big first draw, but in hearing about the opportunity to bond individually and help with these patients at a great place like Akron Children's Hospital is what sealed it,” he shared. “Talking to the former Oncology Interest Group members, they were really pushing for the program this past year, and this was some of the motivation for pushing the start of it even earlier this year.”
First impressions
Upon walking into the room at the group’s first meeting, Mekis was surprised to see how many student volunteers were not part of the Oncology Interest Group or even the American Academy of Pediatrics-Pediatric Action Club.
“Speaking to some of them revealed that, although they may not have been interested in either group academically, they all shared my goal to really get to know our buddies and provide another friendly face to connect with,” Mekis said. “I loved the normalcy that everyone exuded, playing games, coloring and getting to know not only their own buddies, but their buddies’ friends as well. The entire program really felt like one connected family that we were lucky to be invited to be a part of. It was inspiring to see kids who were facing one of the most difficult battles of their lives smiling, laughing, joking and beating us (especially me) in board games.”
Mathis also has fond memories of his first meeting. “In meeting my buddy last year, he was a ball of energy and loved to joke,” he said. “I could see the smile that he brought to his dad, and I couldn’t help but have the same infectious smile. Just seeing the joy in the day-to-day life of a child having to go through a horrible diagnosis was something that warmed my heart and inspired me.”
Sadly, his time with the program and his buddy was cut short due to progression of his buddy’s diagnosis. “This is a sad reality of working with sicker patients; however, it brings so much meaning to the time you can have with them,” Mathis said.
Lessons learned
Mekis also learned the importance of day-to-day interactions and how quickly things can change.
“My buddy and I went from planning to play Mario Kart and go to Top Gold to his parents updating us on the fact that his disease was quickly progressing, cutting my time short with him and his family,” he said. “This harsh reality of working with chronically sick patients, especially in pediatrics, really brought to the forefront the importance of the day-to-day with these patients. Every action and gesture means a lot because you never know when things might change and that one little thing for us could mean the world to one of our patients.”
The experience inspired Mathis to expand his leadership role with the OIG.
“The impact they had on me is a driving force this year to take on a leadership role in promoting and fostering the relationship with Akron Children’s and why I wanted to speak out and promote the program to other students. It was one of the most impactful experiences I had in my first year of medical school and I am excited to participate again this year!” he enthused.
Mekis, too, was excited about returning to the Buddy Program this year.
“This rare opportunity to work with Akron Children’s Hospital also inspired me to want to do more and grow the club and program, especially this year as an M2 co-president of OIG. I am so excited to spearhead this program with Jack Mathis again this year and to bring a new group of students to ACH and meet our amazing patients there,” he said.
Learn more about related student groups