Ismael Khalil Gil
Hello and Welcome to My Healthcare Vision
Welcome! I am a student of Old Dominion University, pursuing studies in Health Service Administration, entirely fueled by the passion to make meaningful change in healthcare. This site allows you a closer look at my aspirations, the path I have undertaken so far, and experiences that have shaped me along the way, from leadership opportunities to hands-on projects. I invite you to read and learn more about my journey, my goals, and the work that inspires me each day.
As the president for the Japanese American Student Association at Old Dominion University, I have been privileged in leading an association that cherishes all the rich and diverse aspects of Japanese culture. An advocate in this position, I have led efforts to provide a forum that is educational yet inviting for students to understand and appreciate the cultural, social, and historical nature of Japan. In leading JASA, I have focused on strategic planning, team coordination, and developing alliances with other student organizations and university departments that naturally contribute to such a vision: a dynamic community which empathizes with learning and mutual respect.
Leadership Journey
My leadership journey at Old Dominion University, particularly as President of the Japanese American Student Association, has profoundly shaped my abilities to lead, inspire, and foster inclusive communities.
Alternative Spring Break
Purpose of this Internship
This ePortfolio will be used to showcase my experiences, both on the academic and professional level, with a specific focus on my internship with Alternative Spring Break at Old Dominion University.
The process involved this great opportunity to support Kara Boone, Assistant Director for Service Learning, in creating some actual meaningful volunteer experiences for students. Responsibilities included much logistical planning: writing communications to various non-profits throughout the Hampton Roads community, budget management, and volunteer scheduling. The result was an experience whereby administrative skills were polished; important contacts furthered my understanding of what actually works in community service.
This ePortfolio describes the projects managed, the challenges navigated, and the learning outcomes that really shaped my approach to health service administration. The content herein offers the complete perspective necessary: my capabilities, my growth, and my aspirations-finally ready to make a critical difference in healthcare service delivery.
Introduction to My Professional Identity
This was further instrumental internally in shaping my professional identity within the field of Health Service Administration during my internship with the Alternative Spring Break program at Old Dominion University. It provided a hands-on, realistic platform where I could apply and integrate my academic knowledge into a natural environment-one that better aligned both my personal values and professional aspirations. Through this, I took on the challenge of managing the sometimes complex logistical tasks involved in running programs that created meaningful experiences for participants and had tangible benefits to the community. This experience further convinced me to pursue a career that effectively marries administrative skills with a deep commitment to community service and health equity.
Key Competencies Demonstrated
Project Management and Organization:
I developed a strong, keen ability in managing various components of a large-scale project-scheduling, communications, and resource allocation. This was quite critical in coordinating a weeklong volunteer event series, making sure that each day flowed well and was impactful.
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Communication Skills:
This involved communicating effectively with a wide array of stakeholders, including university staff and students, as well as non-profit organizations. I developed the skill of communicating information clearly and persuasively in both written and verbal formats that ensured the alignment and understanding among concerned parties.
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Analytical Skills:
In the process, I managed and analyzed spreadsheets that kept track of program budgets and participant feedback to develop strong analytical skills. Data interpretation was important in learning how to make considered decisions with regard to changes to programs and report outcomes effectively to superiors.
Leadership and Team Collaboration:
I can also work well with Kara Boone, among other interns, in strengthening my leadership abilities by learning to inspire and coordinate team efforts. Having successfully driven the success of this program, my leadership was instrumental in leading by example, motivating others to achieve common goals.
Problem-solving:
I encountered and overcame various challenges during the internship, from last-minute changes in schedules to budget constraints. These experiences enhanced my problem-solving skills, teaching me to think on my feet and devise creative solutions under pressure.
Budget Management:
I was responsible for managing and overseeing the budget for meals and supplies, which sharpened my skills in financial stewardship and resource management, ensuring that the program remained within financial limits while meeting all its objectives.
Internship
Company Overview: Office of Leadership & Learning
The Office of Leadership & Learning at Old Dominion University is committed to the development of civically engaged leaders through support of a range of initiatives, including living-learning communities, service-learning, and civic engagement programs, to leadership development workshops. It seeks an enriched educational experience by embedding academic learning into community and leadership activities in developing students who are prepared and willing to make positive contributions in society.
Role and Responsibilities
Job Title and Duties:
My official title for the internship was that of an Intern Coordinator for the Alternative Spring Break program. The subsequent roles I undertook were identified as follows:
Planned and facilitated the daily activities of the volunteer projects during Spring Break.
Liaising with nonprofit organizations in preparing volunteer activities.
Discussed with participants in advance that they knew and were prepared for activities.
Daily Tasks and Projects:
A typical day during my internship would be given by:
It started with a wrap-up of the day, including the review of the schedule and logistics.
Briefing volunteers each morning on the day's aims and objectives, and answering any queries.
Visiting different locations for events to carry out ground support and oversee activities.
Briefing among team members on the activities of the day and planning for the next days.
Team and Collaboration:
I worked closely with Kara Boone, Assistant Director for Service Learning, who oversaw and supported my role. To that end, I worked alongside other interns and a variety of stakeholders from various non-profits to ensure our team efforts were synergistic and met the goals of the program.
Expectations and Outcomes:
These included the following role expectations: manage project logistical elements effectively, communicate clearly with all stakeholders, and effectively facilitate volunteer activities to enable success. I have met and exceeded the expectations through well-organized volunteer experiences, effective communication channels, and positive feedback given/received by participants and partners alike.
Key Projects and Impact
Overview of Key Projects:
One of the major projects I was in charge of was managing a week-long roster that involved different nonprofits every day. This needed to be in-depth, from planning to negotiation, balancing organizational needs with what the volunteers were capable and interested in.
Contributions:
My contributions included designing the itinerary, managing the budget for supplies and meals, and overseeing the execution of daily activities.
Impact of our Work:
This work greatly impacted the community by enriching volunteer experiences for ODU students, strengthened the university's ties with local non-profits, and contributed to the well-being of the community through over 250 hours of volunteer work. The feedback collected through pre and post-event survey reflected increased awareness and involvement in civic activities by the students.
Reflection on Experiences
Powerful Learning Moments:
One of the dutiful situations I really learned from was sorting out the complication that arose during the coordination of the multi-organization event schedule. This basically showed the importance of being very meticulous with plans and being able to adapt to changes along the way, something important in project management. More importantly, this experience got a chance to witness positive impacts on the community and increased personal growth among volunteers, experiences which re-aligned me to follow a career that combined administrative skills with community service.
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Challenges Faced:
The major challenge was to figure out how to work with the constantly changing circumstances regarding university budget management allocated for a variety of community projects. Every nonprofit partner had different restrictions and requirements, which needed to be met by careful alignment of financial and logistical plans in order to meet their needs yet still conform to the guidelines of the university. This was much easier said than done, as it required a deep understanding of budget management, coupled with the flexibility to adjust dynamically with changing plans to meet varying demands on behalf of each partner. I addressed this by engaging in close collaboration with university financial officers and each nonprofit to make sure that all the restrictions and requirements were well comprehended on both ends so as not to sacrifice the integrity or effectiveness of the program.
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Skills Developed:
During this internship, I was developing a set of the following skills:
Project Management: Further developed my project management skill in the leadership of complex projects from conception through implementation, ensuring that all aspects of the project remained focused on our strategic objectives.
Leadership and Team Coordinating: I have participated in leading the team of interns and volunteers. In the process, I developed my leadership skills to inspire and coordinate a diverse team effectively.
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Analytical Thinking:
Handling pre and post-event feedback surveys enhanced my analytical skills, as I learned to interpret data and translate it into actionable improvements.
Hindsight Reflection:
If I were to go through the internship again, I would focus even more on proactive communication and scheduling. Anticipating potential disruptions and having contingency plans in place could have alleviated some stress and improved the overall flow of events.
Advice for Future Interns:
My advice to the future interns is to take any challenge as an opportunity for learning. Always stay organized, never stop being proactive in your communications, and remember the big picture. Building very strong relationships with your team and community partners is important-the things that may serve the purpose of providing support and paths to success during your internship.
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Connection to Major/Career Path:
This internship fell right in line with my studies in Health Service Administration, offering experience in the management of health-oriented community service projects relevant to my academic focus on the systems and policies of healthcare. The skills and insights gained are invaluable for my intended career path in health administration, where I hope to contribute to improved healthcare delivery and better community health outcomes. These are some of the important tools which the health administrator needs to acquire to become effective in practice, including leadership, project management, and also stakeholder engagement.
