John Image

Hometown: Tampa, Florida

Educational background: University of Florida, B.S. in biochemistry, minor in leadership

What is your title and role at your host site? The Magnolia Project serves women of childbearing age in an effort to support and facilitate a strong parenthood lifestyle, and reduce infant mortality as well as maternal mortality. My title is case manager, and my role at my host site is providing check-ins, wellness classes, and social service navigation to the male partners of Magnolia Project Clients. 

Why did you join the National Health Corps Florida AmeriCorps program? I joined the AmeriCorps program because I am seeking to gain real-world experience in the health field after graduating college. Now more than ever is a good opportunity for me to devote myself to community health outreach and make the difference I want to see in the communities that I serve. 

What are you hoping to gain from your year of service? During my year of service, I hope to gain exposure to new perspectives and responsibilities. I want to rise to meet the challenges that face me and strengthen my resilience and resourcefulness in the process. I hope to practice the AmeriCorps core competency of cultural competency and make it into a strength of mine. Coupled with improving emotional intelligence and empathy skills through practice building genuine and trusting relationships with patients, clients, and staff, I believe my term of service will empower my development into a compassionate healthcare leader. 

What are your plans after AmeriCorps service? After my term of service, I plan to make use of my Certified Nurse Assistant license and work in a clinical setting to continue my exposure to healthcare experiences. After some time doing that, I plan to apply to PA school or another professional healthcare program to launch a long-term career. 

Where do you envision yourself in 5 years? I plan to be enrolled in or completed with a professional healthcare program. Perhaps I will be a new PA working in the state of Florida, maybe even at the community, I will serve during my term of service at AmeriCorps! Whatever happens, I plan to keep an open mind and always continue learning. My broad professional goal is to meet real health needs that exist in the communities I serve. I will measure my success by the lives I improve along the way.