Dr. Michael Herson, Janice Herson and Alison Herson
Volunteering since 2009
The Hersons—Dr. Michael Herson, Janice, and their daughter Alison (their son Mathew is in college at Willamette)—have been volunteering at the Free Clinic every 2nd and 4th Thursday since January 2009. They share family bonds and a passion for their community, but they each bring their own unique personality and experience to volunteering.
Dr. Herson, an endocrinologist, went into medicine because it combines his love of science and teaching. His choice of specialty was a natural extension of his research studies in toxemia of pregnancy and biochemistry. “I wasn’t surprised that I found the endocrine system the most fascinating part of the body,” he says. No stranger to volunteering, Dr. Herson has been volunteering twice a month for over 20 years teaching medical residents and fellows (as an Assistant Clinical Professor, currently at OHSU), as well as coaching children’s sports. Although it is different from his regular practice, Dr. Herson finds caring for patients at the Free Clinic very rewarding.
“I find that the Free Clinic patients are extremely appreciative of the care we provide. It has been said that there is nothing more fulfilling than helping others, and I have found this to be true.” Dr. Herson
Janice Herson, who is also passionate about education, has been applying her extensive experience in education to inventorying the Free Clinic’s health education resources and is helping to create a new health resources volunteer role. She has a Master’s Degree in both in elementary and secondary education and has taught at all levels from the 2nd grade through college. “I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a teacher. I have been fortunate to have had a wonderful and rewarding career doing what I love. I find the informal teaching I do in the community to be equally rewarding,” she says. Janice has volunteered extensively in the Vancouver schools, including creating a special needs resource library for teachers, parents, and students—an experience that is coming in very handy in organizing the health resources for the Free Clinic.
Alison inherited her parents’ interests in education and science, and like her father, hopes to combine these interests by pursuing a career in medicine. “I strongly believe that health care and health education are priorities, and I made up my mind to follow a path that reflects my core beliefs”. She graduated from Stanford with a BS in Symbolic Systems, a major integrating computer science, linguistics, philosophy, psychology, and cognitive science. Alison has volunteered extensively abroad, providing care and health education to underserved communities in rural villages in Italy, Honduras, and Tanzania. Her experiences abroad helped her see the need for better access to medical care at home. At the Free Clinic, she has shown special interest in learning to assist in the dispensary.
“Volunteering at the Free Clinic has given me insight into the lack of health care in my own community, as well as a strong hope for creating a better future.” Alison Herson
The Points of Light Foundation recently published a paper studying benefits of family volunteering: quality family time, opportunities to share values, and fostering compassionate community involvement. The Hersons, in many ways, provide a case study for these arguments. Alison openly thanks her parents for giving her a public awareness and passion for public service. Each Herson mentions that among their favorite extracurricular activities (ranging from singing to mountain climbing to basketball) is spending time with each other. However, when asked what their favorite thing about volunteering at the Free Clinic, what they mention is their joy in working with members of the larger Free Clinic volunteer family: “We love joining together with volunteers from different walks of life who share the common goal of contributing to the community and providing health care to those in need”… “The Free Clinic of SW Washington is a testament to the dedication, vision, and positive impact of our local healthcare professionals and community support.”
