“Working in hospice operations exposed me to the intricacies of care coordination, policy implementation, and the emotional weight carried by patients and families. It also opened my eyes to the realities faced by the sandwich generation, individuals who are simultaneously caring for aging parents and their own children.
Before, I viewed the Health + Humanities intersection mostly through a theoretical lens—emphasizing empathy, communication, and ethics in healthcare. But this internship made those ideas tangible. My understanding has evolved from seeing the humanities as “adjacent” to healthcare to realizing they are fully embedded in it. It’s not just about delivering care—it’s about how care is experienced, communicated, and honored.”
Ella was awarded the Health + Humanities Internship funding through the Center for Community and Global Health to support her as an intern at Gentiva Hospice.