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Artist Statement

Volunteering as Family Pals at Boggy Creek throughout medical school has reinforced the profound impact of communities united under a shared vision of uplifting one another. This organization cultivates a supportive camp environment for children with chronic medical conditions. One of the most meaningful aspects of these weekend adventures has been meeting children with conditions such as Type 1 Diabetes and VACTERL courageously navigating the challenges of their diagnoses while discovering new passions through activities including woodcraft, air hockey, boating, fishing, and archery.

Many times these children are excluded from normal camp experiences due to their special needs such as spina bifida, asthma, and diabetes. Camp Boggy enables these children to be included in a variety of camp activities by including accommodations for them. This also allows them to connect with peers who may have similar experiences, ultimately improving their mental health and overall outlook. The camp provides a supportive network of peers not only for the children but also for their families.

As aspiring physicians, this experience has deepened our understanding on how healing extends far beyond medical treatment alone. Compassion and empathy are equally powerful in helping children especially those with special needs feel seen, valued and supported in their health journey. Through these meaningful interactions with campers and their loved ones, we witnessed the immense physical and emotional toll illness has on the entire family. Similar to holistic care in medicine, the camp experience has shown us the importance of extending our support beyond the campers themselves to their loved ones, including their siblings. Utilizing this approach builds trust between families, ultimately optimizing the patient’s health outcomes.

This picture captures the heart of Boggy Creek: communities of volunteers and families coming together to uplift these children with complex medical children and ensuring their emotional well-being is being valued as deeply as their physical health. Experiences like this continue to shape the kind of physicians we aspire to evolve into - community-centric physicians who create inclusive nurturing environments and lead with utmost compassion.

About the Artist

Archana Banda is a third-year medical student at Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine. Before medical school, she went to the University of Central Florida where she furthered her passions in biological sciences and the intersection of sociology and health through her major in Biology and minor in Medical Sociology. She graduated from UCF as a Burnett Honors and LEAD Scholars Academy Graduate. Her hobbies include discovering new healthy plant-based recipes, watching sunsets with friends and family, painting 3D textured florals, and going on calming nature walks. As an aspiring physician, she looks forward to sharing her love for nutrition, skincare, and preventative lifestyle measures to optimize holistic health.

Nupur Kumar is a third year medical student at the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University. She attended the University of Central Florida Burnett Honors College where she earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology while preparing for medical school. Through her participation in various organizations on campus, she was an advocate for mental health and women’s health which are passions she aims to bring into her career as a physician. Outside of medical school, she enjoys drawing with chalk pastels, making candles, spending time with family and friends, and playing Playstation. In her future as a physician, Nupur hopes to bring patient-centered care, addressing all aspects of patient care in order to have the most beneficial outcomes.

ORCID ID

Archana Banda ORCID: 0009-0009-5882-2086, Nupur Kumar ORCID: 0009-0004-5894-7819

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