High School Senior "Summers" at St. Luke's

For high school senior Janet Guo, volunteering at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital during the summers gives her a chance "to make a difference in people's lives."

One day recently, she noticed a family in distress about a loved one's medical condition.

"We had a team of people talking to them," she says. "We were able to console them and keep them abreast of what was going on. When people understand procedures, it makes it much easier for them."

Janet started volunteering three years ago at St. Luke's when her father, Bujin Guo, was a researcher at the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's.

"I think it has really enriched her life to help people," says Mr. Guo, who now works as a scientist with a Houston company.

Pam Lemp, director of volunteer services at St. Luke's, loves having students like Janet as members of the Junior Volunteer Program.

"They have a tremendous amount of energy and their idealism is infectious," she says.

Janet, who isn't sure if she'll follow in her father's footsteps and become a scientist, heads back to boarding school in North Carolina soon. She won't forget her summer at St. Luke's. "It just makes me feel so good to help people through tough times," she says.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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