If you’re a regular reader of the CommunityHealth blog, you might recognize the amazing Amy Milroy from her Future of Health testimonial. Though she spent high school and college in Michigan, Amy now calls Chicago home, and has spent most of her life living in Illinois. Having completed med school (and having trained at CommunityHealth), she now practices psychiatric medicine via telehealth, teaches undergraduate nursing students, and volunteers as a Spanish-speaking primary care provider at CommunityHealth every Saturday. Amy is a treasured member of our team, and we’re so grateful for the many hours of care she’s provided over the last five years.
Outside of volunteering with CommunityHealth, how do you like to spend your free time?
I love animals and am especially fond of spending time with my dog. I’m interested in all sorts of topics, so I like to watch movies and documentaries, listen to podcasts, and read books on anything you can imagine. When I’m in Chicago I’m mostly a homebody, but when I’m not in and around home I love traveling the world.
If you could be one animal, what would you be and why?
I would be a cat whose human adores and dotes on them. Cats aren’t concerned about others’ opinions of them, and while they value human companionship, their feelings don’t seem to be hurt by their humans spending time away.
What does your ideal vacation look like?
I like a nice mix of relaxation, sightseeing, and thrill-seeking. And I’m always on the hunt for the tastiest food.
Why and how did you begin volunteering at CommunityHealth?
I started at CommunityHealth in 2018 as a nurse practitioner student. After finishing school, I couldn’t imagine life without this wonderful place, so I asked Ava how I could come back.
What has kept you volunteering all this time?
The people! From the patients to the staff to fellow volunteers, CommunityHealth is rich in its people. I am in awe of the strength of the patients, and inspired by the selflessness of the volunteers and staff. It is a place like no other.
What does being a healthcare professional mean to you?
It means the opportunity to share in my patients’ lives, and to partner with them to achieve better health status. I see myself as a guide for patients, trying to direct them to reach their health goals and make new ones.
Why is volunteering important to you? What do you get out of it?
Volunteering takes the focus away from financial gain and shines light on the most important parts of what we do—serving people and bettering the world. My heart gets a warm glow every time I volunteer, and I love contributing to just causes. Whether I’m at CommunityHealth or going on global health trips, some of my most treasured memories have been from serving others. The compensation is a life full of meaning, which is better by far than more money.
What advice would you give to a new volunteer at CommunityHealth?
This place is a unique gem full of amazing people. Soak it up, because opportunities to make this big of an impact in such a welcoming, collaborative atmosphere just don’t come along every day.