From Volunteer to Vital Team Member: A Homegrown Journey at BIFMC November 11, 2025

 “The community fostered here is really passionate and incredible.”

For some, a volunteer experience is a meaningful chapter. For others, it’s the start of a journey. For one Charleston native, two summers of volunteering at Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic (BIFMC) opened the door to a rewarding career of service, language, and community connection.

Born and raised in the Charleston area and a graduate of Wando High School, she went on to study Spanish and International Health at Clemson University. Her path to BIFMC began through a family connection. “My dad mentioned that Dr. David Peterseim works at a free clinic,” she recalls. “I asked about opportunities to get involved, and that’s how I first learned about BIFMC.”

She began volunteering during the summer of 2023, working twice a week at the front desk—answering phones and sending appointment reminders in both English and Spanish. She returned the following summer, continuing her service once a week while deepening her connection to the clinic community.

One of the biggest surprises during her volunteer experience was witnessing the dedication of BIFMC’s team. “I really noticed the passion of the volunteers,” she reflects. “Many of them have been at the clinic for years and know each other so well. The community fostered here is really passionate and incredible.”

Her academic background made the clinic a natural fit. “I’ve always wanted to learn another language, and with so many people in the U.S. speaking Spanish, it felt like the most practical and important language to learn,” she explains. “BIFMC’s focus on health and its large Spanish-speaking population felt like a perfect match for my major.”

After graduating, she reached out to Dr. Peterseim to inquire about open positions. As luck would have it, a staff role became available at just the right time. She joined the team full-time, bringing with her the enthusiasm and skills she’d cultivated as a volunteer.

“I really enjoy getting to work with people from different backgrounds,” she shares. “I learn something new every day—from patients, from staff, from volunteers. I’m constantly growing in this environment.”

Her ability to speak Spanish has been a particularly meaningful asset. “During the spring of 2023, I studied abroad in Spain, which helped me maintain my Spanish before volunteering at the clinic,” she says. “One thing I love about speaking Spanish is that I can communicate with people I otherwise wouldn’t be able to—especially since so many of our patients are Spanish speakers.”

Her journey from summer volunteer to valued staff member is a testament to BIFMC’s welcoming community and the impact of meaningful service. What began as a way to give back has evolved into a career rooted in compassion, cultural connection, and lifelong learning.

Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic is a free clinic in Charleston, SC, that provides free medical care to eligible patients, just like any family practitioner or internist. The Free Clinic serves uninsured adults living at or below 299% of the federal poverty level who live or work across Charleston, Berkeley or Dorchester counties. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.