Before he starts applying to medical schools, Brown University graduate Jan Aurelio is spending his time wisely as a volunteer at Navian Hawaii. His goal is to build a more holistic perspective on healing, taking into account a patient’s mental, emotional and environmental circumstances in addition to their specific medical condition. Through his volunteering, he has learned that a career in medicine is not always about curative treatment. Sometimes, it’s simply about giving people the love, care and attention they need.

“Volunteering with Navian Hawaii is a mutually rewarding experience. You get to learn about and impact the lives of those undergoing one of the most difficult processes in life while they, as patients, receive the companionship and dignity everyone deserves,” said Jan. “There is so much to gain in being involved with hospice volunteerism. Doing it with Navian means you get all the support and resources you need. It really is a fun and rewarding experience.”

Jan believes that understanding health beyond the science is an important part of being a doctor. He has found that being welcomed into homes and accompanying patients and their families during some of life’s most vulnerable times provides the important and necessary emotional, spiritual and mental insight into the lives of those he seeks to care for in the future.

Upon completion of his in-person volunteer training in the spring of 2022, Jan began visiting patients. He provides a different kind of support to every patient based on their unique interests, desires and needs.

“Some patients remain asleep throughout my visits. One patient I had wanted to maintain his health and requested to take walks around his apartment complex. The patient I currently see loves movies, so we spend lots of time watching mystery, thriller and action films, and discussing them afterward,” said Jan. “I think the best part about being a volunteer is the people you meet. Getting to know their interests and life stories makes the experience not only exciting, but rewarding, too.”

Navian Hawaii relies on individuals like Jan, who support us in our mission to reduce fear, bring hope and impact lives. We accept new volunteers on an ongoing basis to fulfill our ever changing needs.