I remember my first day vividly. I peeked into the living room and saw three patients sitting together, unsure of whether to interrupt or how to begin a conversation. After a brief hesitation, I opened the door and stepped inside. We began talking about sports, and eventually our conversation faded to simply sitting together and watching television.
That afternoon, I learned that making a difference did not require the perfect words or an elaborate activity. Sometimes, connection is found in simple acts of presence: sitting with someone, sharing a quiet moment, and reminding them they are seen and valued.
From that day forward, I embraced every opportunity to support the Christ House community. Whether leading Thursday Bingo sessions while The Temptations played in the background, accompanying patients on excursions throughout Washington, D.C., escorting patients to appointments, interviewing patients about their experiences, covering the nurse’s station and front desk, coordinating with barbers to provide haircuts, decorating the dining room for birthday celebrations, or assisting with community events, I sought to build meaningful relationships through everyday acts of compassion and care.
Through these interactions, I gained a deeper understanding of holistic health by listening to individuals whose lives had been shaped by addiction, trauma, neglect, grief, and systemic barriers. Hearing patients share their personal histories, including experiences with segregation and discrimination, allowed me to understand how social conditions, past experiences, and access to opportunities shape a person’s health and well-being.
Above all, the experiences that were most meaningful to me were rooted in faith. Whether praying with patients individually, engaging in spiritual conversations, or co-leading a Bible study titled Trial by Fire, I witnessed how hope, compassion, and community became powerful sources of healing. Even amid the pain, trauma, and hardships patients had endured, I saw God at work through the friendships, connections, and sense of community cultivated at Christ House.
This experience has profoundly shaped the physician I aspire to become: one who not only provides medical care but also listens, understands, and walks alongside patients throughout their journeys. I hope to practice medicine with the understanding that healing encompasses not only the physical body but also the emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of a person’s life.
A reflection by Jaiden Burney, a senior at Wellesley College and summer intern at Christ House. Jaiden is double-majoring in Africana Studies and Biochemistry, on the pre-med track.
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