CommunityHealth shines the Volunteer Spotlight on Izzy Mroczek as our January Volunteer of the Month!
Since joining CH in March of 2024, Izzy has contributed an extraordinary 365 nearly 100 hours over the annual expectation from volunteers.
Izzy is known for her incredible helpfulness. In her downtime as an interpreter, she always steps up to fill in the gaps, asking what else she can do to help.
This year, she took on a role supporting our Outreach Team by interpreting at a Polish patient advisory council meeting at the clinic.
CommunityHealth sat down with Izzy to learn more about what quality health care for all means to her…
Tell us more about yourself and your background.
I grew up in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago. Both my parents immigrated to the States in their early twenties, and I grew up in a community with a large Polish population. I’m very interested in Polish culture and language, so much so that I pursued a Slavic studies major in undergrad at Northwestern.
What is your favorite memory from your time with CommunityHealth?
! love having the opportunity to interpret repeatedly for the same patient and seeing their growth in their healthcare journey. It’s especially sweet when there’s a new milestone that has been reached and the excitement between the patient and the provider is so palpable. I also have so much fun interpreting jokes or lighthearted comments.
Why and how did you begin volunteering at CommunityHealth?
I remember seeing listings online for Spanish medical interpreter volunteers for a local clinic. Curious, I searched if there were any opportunities for Polish medical interpreters in the area. CommunityHealth came up, and upon learning more, I knew I wanted to get involved and provide my language skills as a resource.
Do you remember your first day? What surprised you?
I remember how excited but nervous I was. What surprised me the most was how much teamwork is behind the care that the providers and staff give. From listening to the huddle to seeing the residents learn from each other, it was clear from the beginning that CommunityHealth is filled with individuals who are constantly growing for the sake of their patients.
What is something you learned from volunteering at CommunityHealth
Through my time at CommunityHealth, I’ve come to learn how interpreting is so much more than just conveying words in a different language. It also means picking up on tone of voice and body language, if applicable.
What has been your biggest takeaway from your time with CommunityHealth?
Although I’ve had the opportunity to interpret for many visits in which the next step in a patient’s healthcare plan was clear or understandable, there were many in which it was uncertain or scary. Getting to interpret for so many amazing providers, I got to see how they stayed persistent amidst this uncertainty. Whether it was seeing how they connected the patient with further resources in the clinic or broke down a dietary change and its effects on the body in a clear and succinct way, my appreciation for their profession grew. My time at CommunityHealth has undoubtedly shaped my desire to pursue medical school, and I’m so thankful for the many patients and providers that I was able to learn from.
How has working with CommunityHealth influenced your perception of health care?
CommunityHealth’s extensive efforts in getting to know the communities it serves, through outreach and patient advisory councils, have set a precedent for how healthcare should be approached. It is not enough to provide resources, but it is also necessary to make sure that they are personalized and accessible to those that they are supposed to help.
What advice would you give to new volunteers at CommunityHealth?
It’s okay to ask for help or pause in a visit if you do not know a word or need to reinterpret something. Everyone in the clinic is so kind and understanding. It’s better to pause than interpret something incorrectly and have a negative effect on a patient and their health. I’ve found highlighting words in my glossary I might miss and returning to it to review very helpful.
