Springboard to learn

One's mother is an administrative assistant. The other's dad is a cardiologist.

While they work in different areas of the hospital, the parents of Vijay Agusala and Hailey Simpkins both sparked an interest in health care with their children. And both are now participating in Odessa Regional Medical Center's Junior Volunteers program.

"I wanted to experience some medical fields," said Vijay, 15, an incoming sophomore at Trinity School in Midland. "I wanted to see what I wanted to do when I grow up."

Vijay's the son of Dr. Madhava Agusala. While Vijay said he'd like to be a doctor someday, the volunteer program is allowing him to see different areas of the hospital - ranging from the pharmacy to marketing.

"Everyone's really nice," he said. "They welcome you. They teach you how to do stuff."

Hailey, 14, a ninth-grader at Nimitz Junior High, has been working in the nursery, cleaning beds and taking babies to their mothers.

She said the program has helped her become more familiar with medical fields. Someday, she'd like to be a dentist or orthodontist.

It's also made her the envy of her cheerleading team.

"Some think it's awesome that I'm helping people out," she said. "I told all the cheerleaders, and they wanted to sign up, but it's too late."

Hailey's mother, Theresa Simpkins, said having her daughter work at the same hospital she's been at for 16 years is allowing her to spend more time with her.

"I'm just glad that she's interested in something," Simpkins said. "She likes to be very active, so I'm glad that she's doing something worthwhile."

The program also helps the students with school. Hailey gets credit with the Texas Scholars program, a statewide initiative that encourages students to work in the community. Vijay, meanwhile, gets some of the 100 volunteer hours required of Trinity students.

Both Hailey and Vijay are in their second years as volunteers. Registered nurse Jackie Rodriguez, who supervises Hailey, said she likes seeing the kids mature over the years,

"They come in, and they want something to do," she said. "The more things we can find for them to do, the more happy they are."

WANT TO VOLUNTEER?

>> If you're a student in the eighth grade or higher, you may volunteer for Odessa Regional Medical Center's 2009 Junior Volunteer program.

>> Application deadline is the end of May.

>> For information, call Debra Franklin at 582-8359.