When Jackson High School senior Hemang Kasini applied for the summer student volunteer program at Aultman Hospital, he was already considering medical school. His experiences at Aultman this summer have further ignited his passion for medicine and solidified his determination to become a cardiologist.

Giving Back to the Community

During his junior year, Hemang searched for opportunities to volunteer over the summer, and the eight-week program at Aultman was a perfect fit.

"I wanted to give back to the community, and I was interested in medical school,” he said. “I looked for volunteer openings at a hospital and was excited to find this.”

At Aultman, Hemang serves in the lobby of the Physician Office Building (POB), cheerfully greeting patients and visitors, helping people find their appointments and assisting patients with wheelchairs. Hemang is also responsible for disinfecting desktops and Aultman wheelchairs in the lobby.

The desire to help others comes naturally to Hemang. For as long as he can remember, he has enjoyed helping friends at school and family at home.

At Aultman, he finds joy in making things a little easier for others. “When I help people, they look happy, and that makes me happy,” he said. “Recently, there was a couple who couldn’t find the cancer center. When I directed them there, they were so pleased – thanking me and saying, ‘Bless you for being so kind.’ It made me feel like I’d made a difference in this world.”

Hemang is volunteering for several organizations this summer. He recently helped with the Autism Society of Greater Akron’s iCan Bike Camp, which teaches individuals ages 8 to adult with any diagnosed disability how to ride a bicycle independently.

After Aultman’s summer volunteer program ends, Hemang will serve at GiGi’s Playhouse in Canton. GiGi’s Playhouse provides free therapeutic and educational programming in a supportive and accepting environment for people of all ages with Down syndrome.

Preparing for a Medical Career

Hemang plans to earn an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering and biology, followed by medical school. At Jackson High School, he is involved in several academic clubs to develop advanced skills that will help him meet that goal.

Hemang serves as vice president of the Computer Science Club and is a member of the Science Club. During his senior year, he will participate in the newly formed Research Club. He plans to investigate how biotechnology is developed and used throughout the world.

Hemang’s interest in cardiology was sparked by a College Credit Plus anatomy and physiology course, which he took through Stark State College. Then, Prabhakaran P. Gopalakrishnan, M.D., of Aultman Deuble Heart and Vascular Hospital Cardiovascular Consultants, told Hemang about opportunities for students to shadow cardiologists at the hospital.

For Hemang, it was ideal – he would be able to see some of the day-to-day responsibilities of a cardiologist firsthand. In addition to shadowing Dr. Gopalakrishnan, Hemang has observed Manova David, M.D., and Sharan P. Rufus, M.D.

“I’ve learned about biotechnology such as a CT scan and how to apply it, as well as different types of arteries and heart valves,” Hemang said. “The doctors have shown me how they look for warning signs of a heart attack, such as a buildup of body fluid.”

He has also learned the differences between various medical specialties. Best of all, Hemang can use the hours he spends shadowing as clinical hours, which will help when he applies to medical school.

Hemang is grateful for the medical knowledge he has gained at the hospital, as well as the soft skills he has learned through the summer volunteer program. “Volunteering in the POB has taught me patience,” he said. “Before this experience, I always wanted to get things done really fast. But some of the patients I assist cannot walk quickly, and I’ve learned to slow down and pay attention to them.”

He thanks his volunteer partner, Debbie Beeler, POB lobby greeter, for mentoring him. He appreciates the cardiologists for allowing him to shadow them. And he gives a shout out to Lee Kenny, who coordinates the summer student volunteer program.

“This program is really good for juniors and seniors to learn about a hospital and what doctors do,” he said. “I would definitely do this again.”

The annual Aultman Hospital summer volunteer program is for students between the ages of 16 and 21. Applications become available at aultman.org/volunteer in mid-March and are due in early May.

For information on observations and internships, which are separate from the summer volunteer program, visit aultman.org/studentexperiences.