Carson created a volunteer program that enlisted UAB medical to visit 15 home-bound seniors in the Birmingham community. This “Senior Companion Program” provides friendly interactions and activities in an effort to counteract the effects of social isolation. Student volunteers were paired with a home-bound senior and visited them monthly. During these monthly visits the students participated in activities that focused on the interests of their senior.

As a result of the program:

• 15 home-bound seniors received engagement and attention from September 2017 – April 2018
• Seniors experienced the positive effects of socialization and interactions centered around their hobbies and interests rather than their health and activities of daily living
• 25 medical students were exposed to an at-risk patient population, and learned “new insight…and better understanding of the everyday challenges of this population”, per one volunteer

The Senior Companion Program is now a service organization within the UAB School of Medicine. Two prior volunteers will continue to grow and adapt the program as needed.

“Becoming an Albert Schweitzer Fellow gave me the opportunity to create and participate in a program that I am passionate about. I was able to serve a population that is often overlooked and unappreciated and I hope to carry the lessons I learned about humility and sacrifice with me in my career as a physician.”