Neha Philip
Second-year medical student at Baylor College of Medicine School of Medicine – Temple

Learn more about the Baylor School of Medicine Service Learning Program and volunteerism in Temple.

Question: How has the Service Learning Program contributed to your medical education so far? What lessons from volunteering will you carry over as a practicing physician?

Answer: Volunteering in the Temple community has helped me feel more connected to the people and the place I’m serving. Through these experiences, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the community’s strengths and its health challenges/needs. SLP’s emphasis on social determinants of health has reinforced the importance of looking beyond the clinic or hospital setting when caring for patients. As a future physician, I will carry forward the lesson that truly effective care must consider the full context of a patient’s life, not just their medical needs, but also the social and environmental factors that impact their well-being.

Q: What has been your role as SLP co-chair?

A: Together with my fellow co-chair, Yahvi Suhalka, we have been responsible for overseeing SLP sign-ups at the beginning of each school year for participating students to choose their primary site. Each site has a student site ambassador that we coordinate with to ensure that students’ volunteering efforts are going smoothly. We also host small-group reflection sessions in the fall to discuss what we have learned from our volunteer experiences. In the spring, we plan and host the annual SLP Symposium in which groups of students at each volunteer site work together to create a poster presentation about their site and volunteer impact. At the end of the year, we review all participating students’ SLP hour logs to track which students met the requirements for the Dean’s Distinction in Service Learning.

Q: What organizations have you volunteered at through SLP?

A: My primary site for the past two years has been Family Promise, an organization that provides temporary housing to homeless families while equipping them with personalized education and community support. At the Family Promise house, Baylor students host an evening cooking class where we supply ingredients for nutritious, budget-friendly meals. We cook dinner alongside the children and their families, teaching them basic cooking skills and kitchen etiquette. We also hand out an accompanying recipe flyer with nutritional and financial tips for each meal. 

Q: What have you learned about the Temple community through the organizations where you have volunteered?

A: What stands out most during my time at Family Promise is how strong the sense of community remains, even in the face of housing insecurity and financial strain. The multiple families living at the Family Promise house help each other out when they can. They offer encouragement to each other, parents look after each other’s children, and everyone contributes in small but meaningful ways. One of the most rewarding parts has been seeing families graduate from the program and move into their own homes, a testament to the resilience and the supportive environment of the Temple community. 

Q: For potential or future students, what would you say about medical school and living in Temple?

A: Medical school is a challenging but rewarding experience that will help you grow academically and personally. During my time at BCM-Temple, I’ve learned so much, not just in the classroom and hospital, but also from the community. The small class size creates a strong sense of camaraderie, and the city’s close-knit community makes it easy to feel at home. The faculty at BCM-Temple are dedicated, supportive, and truly invested in our success. I’ve felt encouraged every step of the way, and I’m grateful for the relationships and lessons I’ve gained here.​​

By Dana Benson