Journal #1

Lacks Medical Center

9/17/2013
Doctor Office Clinical Work
As soon as I got the Lacks Medical Center to start my service learning volunteer hours I was
toured through the office and explained what duties I would be doing while I was volunteering.
There is are two RNs and a Doctor onsite Monday-Friday 8am 4pm. I got there at 7:45am, so
they had a couple minutes to show me around and get me familiar with the office before the
patients arrived. Starting right at 8am they had their first patient, the first couple of patients I just
followed them around so that I was comfortable with doing it on my own. They do company
physicals for new hires from 8am noon then from 1pm 4pm they leave that slot open for
workers comp. appointment. The first patient came in and they handed me their pre-physical
form that they get from the employment center that is required to be filled out before they arrive
at the LMC, it contains information on weight, height, and past medical history etc. I took a copy
of their license for their file, so that its on file while they are working at Lacks. Once I took a
copy of that, I brought that back through the door. I asked them if they wore glasses or contacts
and based on that answer set them up for a vision test. I tested for near and gar sight with both
left and right eye and then a color test through a vision machine. Based on their results I right
down the information on their chart of the doctor. After my pt. was finished with that, the nurses
had prepped from the night before the physicals for that day. I walked them back into the lab
room and got there exact weight and height. After I put that information on their file for the
doctor I gave them a urine cup to get a specimen for them. They are aware from the employment
center that they will be getting drug tested. I made sure they didnt have their coat or purse on

them while they got their specimen. Once they handed me back their specimen I did a urinalysis
strip test then packaged up the specimen with the appropriate information needed on it and put it
into the box to get dropped off to the lab and get tested. Results dont come back until the next
day. I then took the patient back into the assigned room and put the chart outside of the door for
the doctor to look at. I sat in with the doctor and got BPs for him. He did the assessment on the
patient because he has to do specific ROM and different tests to make sure the employee is fit for
the job they have assigned to them. Once Dr. Bursch was done with the employee I took them
into the back room and got them set up for their hearing test. The machine did everything for
them; I just had to get it set up with the right employee. Once it was all set up I told them to open
the door once the test was done and I would come get there results for them. After this was all
set, they are free to go and if there were any issues with the drug screen results the employment
would contact them to let them know. There wasnt much sitting down time in the morning half
of the five hours I spent with the LMC. There are employees coming in 30 minutes after each
other, so for the first five hours I was doing this same process over and over again. I helped with
some filing, also, but I was mainly tied up with the physicals. All of their records are paper
records so to file you have to find there file, alphabetically and with over 2,500 employees it
takes time. Its so busy and with only having two RNs there I was able to take their tasks from
them so they could catch up on the office work. Since they are in charge of the LMC facility I
helped them catch up on so much that they had fallen behind on. Ive been to the doctors office
multiple times and have always been curious on what the nurse did within that atmosphere, I was
able to really take control in my hands and do it on my own. I got to practice a lot of my manual
blood pressures and got to touch up my skills with the urinalysis and the different things you can
check just within that test. I was able to meet my goals by catching on quickly and getting all the

patients in that were scheduled for that day. I havent had too much 100% independence yet in
school clinical so it was good to be able to feel confident with putting it all in my hands. The
goal that I was able develop was a plan for volunteer service to take place over the course of the
professional education program. I got right into my volunteering and was able to figure out
exactly what I was responsible for and I could develop a well organized plan to help me learn
during the professional education program.

Journal #2
Lacks Medical Center
9/18/2013
Doctor Office Clinical Work
The next five hours that I had spent at the Lacks Medical Center I chose to focus on the
afternoon with helping out with the workers comp. appointments. The only problem with this
was that it was a lot less slow and not as busy as the morning was because there arent promised
appointments and I didnt get to get as involved compared to the mornings. I got to do more of
the Doctor Office office work versus the clinical work. The first appointment arrived on time
and the information was already in the computer with the reasons they are visiting, the chart is
pulled from the day before so I was able to read through and see what was going on with the
employee. The plant Human Resource Representative schedules them for the appointment
because they cant return to work until they see the Lacks doctor. A lot of them are follow up
visits from going to physical therapy or occupational therapy. I got the employees current weight
and height then sat them back into one of the rooms where Dr Bursch was seeing them. I put the
chart outside the room and got him. He let me get the BP for the patients, but then I just observed
the appointments. They only got 3 patients, so I had a lot of down time. I spent a lot of my time
in the front office being taught how to schedule the patients, check status, contact HR about the
employee, look into the file and they explained all the tabs to me and why it was beneficial for
them to have. They do the billing and get the mail with the insurance companies billing them on
the services that were provided. They send those out to purchasing and they pay the bills. Some
of them were over $2,500 in services and thats what Lacks is billed if the accident or issue is

based on workers comp. I started prepping for the next days charts. I had to make new charts for
the new employees coming in for physicals and then I pulled the charts from the current
employees who were coming in for a workers comp appointment. I helped file any faxes they
got from different offices and answered calls that came in to the office. At the end of day I went
with one of the RNs to deliver the drug tests to spectrum across the street so that they could get
the results back to the LMC the next day. I was able to use my knowledge and my services to
help the employees, RNs and the doctor. Theyd be a lot more behind if I hadnt help take these
duties for them and get the job done efficiently so they could do the other work also. I have been
interested in office work and this gave me a really good idea on how office work is done. I did
enjoy it and I was able to reach my goals by helping all of them and providing my services
without having any issues with my tasks. I still got to do a little bit of clinical work, but I got to
see the billing/management side of it as well. I was able to provide a health-related service to a
community of need doing these 5 hours. I helped with the clinical and the office aspect during
these hours. These employees have medical issues that were done/caused by the work
atmosphere so they are in need of these appointments to get better and be able to get back to
work to get the job done in a healthy manner.

Journal #3
Lacks Medical Center
10/2/2013
Plant Clinical Work
On 10/2/13 I spend my volunteer hours with one of the RNs from the LMC going around to the
different plant locations giving flu shots. Lacks has 22 locations in Grand Rapids and they give
free flu shots to all employees of Lacks. They receive wellness points for the
insurance/wellness program that Lacks has for their employees. They stay at the locations for
about 3 hours, depending on what location so she can get all 3 shifts in. They dont have to get
them, but most employees did this year. If they miss the plant visit from us, they can go into the
LMC at any time and get one. I showed up at the LMC first and drew up about 30 syringes with
0.5 mL of the influenza vaccine. We were able to get 10 syringes per each bottle of influenza.
We had it in a cooler and then headed over to the plant. Once we got there we set up a station
with a sharps container, band aids, wipes, the cooler, and the paperwork in the break room of the
facility. They employees had to fill out a 5 question questionnaire to assure they were able to
receive the flu shot. They signed that paper and once the RN administered the shot I stamped
they paper and then put it into a pile which I later had entered in the MCIR. There were about
100 employees in the plant on first shift, 80 for second and about 70 for third. Most of the
employees wanted to shot so I was drawing up the flu constantly while she poked. We had a
good system down so we were organized and efficient with what we were doing. Some of the
employees were very nervous so I was able to talk to them and comfort them with the shot. It
seemed like more of the employees that were male with tattoos got the most nervous, it was

funny! I got to help give a few of the shots once we slowed down and werent as busy. The RN I
was with does this all the time so she has her own system down and gets it done quickly so she
can get to the next location. During the down time that we had, the RN had brought her computer
so I was able to enter in each shot into the pts. MCIR right there on site. Last year they only had
the RN doing this, so they were still entering into MCIR throughout the year. I was able to get it
finished right on the spot. I was able to educate the employees on the flu vaccine and comfort the
employees. It benefited them and helped them make the decision on if they wanted it or not.
They were happy that they could relax and not stress out about being poked. We also had candy
there for them as soon as they were done getting the flu shot. I was able to learn a lot about the
flu shot. I havent been educated on it as much as I should have been so now I know why it
benefits so much. I havent been placed in a factory to do medical work so it was interesting and
helpful to see that this kind of help is out there for employees. I have mastered drawing up
medicine; I think I could do it with my eyes closed with how many times I did it. I used to be
shaky when I did that, but not anymore! I was able to provide a health-related service to a
community of need during these hours of volunteering. Giving employees these flu shots keep
the work place healthy at work and at home. I got to provide my services with helping them
receive these. I also go to do paperwork with the clinical work. After we had finished this plant
we made sure that the sharps container was brought back to the LMC and disposed properly and
that everything was cleaned up. It was nice to be able to spend my time in this work setting using
my knowledge by making these shots available for free and educating them.

Journal #4 & #5
Lacks Medical Center
11/08/2013
Benefits Fair Clinical- Whole day 10 hours
On November 8th, I was able to attend and spend the whole day at the Lacks Benefits fair with
the RN that works for the Lacks Medical Center. Lacks offers a lot of benefits throughout the
company and once a year Lacks holds a Benefits fair at the companies training center. Many
vendors come and explain what they are offering as the employees walk through. I got to help
organize and set up the Lacks medical stand, as well as help the RN administer Flu shots. For
employees that werent at their plant locations when we had gone through were not able to
receive their flu shot. We also put out different exercise brochures and wellness brochures so that
employees could take those with them. We got multiple family members come through wanting
flu shots, but Lacks has a policy that it is only for employees of Lacks. I was able to help the RN
fill up her vials, have the employees fill out proper paper work before administering the flu shot
and was able to help educate any questions that the employees had about the flu shot or about
any other medical questions. Last uear the RN did it by herself and employees waited in line for
20-30 minutes, but with my help we were able to keep on track and not build up any lines. It was
really cool being able to work a benefits fair. Since this Service Learning, I have been in the
office (except for the flu shots at the plants) but it was nice to be able to go out and service the
employees at a fun event. It was really cool seeing the employees out of the factory and doctor
office and enjoying all the benefits. I havent had much experience with educating yet either and
that is a huge part of nursing, but I was able to educate employees and their families as well.
That was something that I really did enjoy and a goal that I achieved. The fair was open for about

9 - 10 hours so that each shift, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd was able to attend. Something that Lacks is
changing beginning of the new year of 2014 is they are getting their own Medical Clinics. They
are offering two locations for family and employees to use. It will be like a normal doctor office
helping with acute illness and has its own pharmacy. This is something that will save Lacks
money. Now Lacks will have two clinical offices and then still have the Lacks Medical Center
for workers comp injuries. I was able to meet the two doctors that will be working with Lacks at
the fair. It was really interesting and benefitted me greatly because they had information and
medical pamphlets that were very educational that they let me keep. It was very interesting
listening to them talk to the employees as well. Not every employee is happy to leave the Dr.
they have had for a long time and meet these strangers but they were very confident and made
the concerned employees more comfortable. This is something that I can look forward to doing
to my future patients. I was able to provide a health-related service to a community of need and
the Benefits fair. It is important for Lacks to have healthy and happy employees, outside of the
workers comp doctors office and I got to help service at a fair that they offer to their
employees. Offering flu shots for free is a great benefit for employees and help reduce time off
of work. It is something the RN and Dr. can put together to make sure that they are keeping their
employees healthy. I was able to educate more than I have done before, so that was something I
got to share with the community.

Journal #6
Lacks Medical Center
12/18/2013
Doctor Office Clinical Work
The last day that I spent volunteering at the Lacks Medical Center was on December 18th.
Luckily I have built friendships and became close with the Dr. Bursch, Barb and Saba, so this
wont be the last time I spend time there. During Christmas time, Lacks has a plant shut down so
that they can enjoy time with their families, which made the appointments for the day slim. The
employment center was not hiring until the first of the year, so there were not many physicals
scheduled for the week either. That didnt mean that the Lacks Medical Office wasnt busy. It
might not have been with clinical work, but they stayed busy with office stuff. I helped with
stocking up all supplies needed for the New Year. The office holds a slim amount of
prescriptions and medical devices for employees that come in needing different braces, bands,
medications, etc. so I was able to help organize and fill up on those. All new employees for the
year we made charts for and were able to fill all the files with their paper work. I have been
interested in seeing what it wold be like to work as an RN in more a office view. I was able to
really see that side of it today as well as all the other hours I had spent with the Lacks Medical
Center. It is completely different than the clinical work that I have been doing in the hospital
these past semesters, but I really did enjoy it. It was more slowly paced and was easy to prepare
and focus on the employees injuries and the care they were going to get before they even got in. I
was able to help the office get ready for 2014 and all the workers that had scheduled
appointments. A lot of employees want back to work after the New Year and since Dr. Bursch
has to approve them before they can go back to work they had a busy schedule once the New

Year started up again. In an office is easy to get backed up, I think they all really appreciated my
help with finally getting a hang on to the paper charting vs. computer charting and I was able to
get all of that done for them. I spent an hour or so looking through employees files and
familiarizing myself with different issues and problems that can happen inside of a large
company. It is crazy how serious some injuries can be with tanks of plating chrome and
machines that can kill people within seconds. I was able to work closely with the faculty advisor
and the course faculty to implement this plan for volunteer service during this day. I got to work
closely and learn a lot from Dr. Bursch, Barb and Saba. By the end of this experience I felt that I
was one of them. I felt confident, comfortable and relaxed. I can master hearing and vision tests,
physicals, paper work, paper charting, flu shots, different ROM exercises, and manual BP. I
really enjoyed this whole experience and this day was nice to be able to wind down and listen to
what they had to offer from their days of working outside of an office.

Service Learning Proposal

Mollie Morrissey
Ferris State University

Abstract
As my third semester of Ferris States nursing program approaches, I am getting ready to begin
my service learning. I will be spending 30 service hours with Lacks Enterprises Medical Center,
which is an occupational health office. Throughout this paper, I will be describing the agency,
my role as a student nurse, objectives which are related to the nursing program, an evaluation
plan, and contact information for my agency. Working with this organization will give me a
different view on nursing, a different aspect in it. I am very interested in the office work of being
an RN, so doing my service learning with Lacks Medical Center will give me a great view, while
still working also with patients.

Introduction
Luckily nursing is an avenue of many work opportunities for individuals who have a
nursing degree. My whole life I thought of nurses as individuals who took care of you at the
hospital and the doctors. These past few months in the nursing program I am learned it is much
more different than that. Ferris nursing program allows for their student nurses to work in many
different aspects of the field in clinical. I have already explored a few different options at
Mecosta County Medical Center, my favorite being in rehab. Moving on into the third semester
we are given the opportunity to pick a agency on our own and spent service hours, volunteering
and learning about different nursing fields. I have shown an interest in working more on an
office, but still with patient contact and the Lacks Medical Center fit perfectly into that. This will
give me an opportunity to spend time on something that really interests me and shows me if this
is something I would like to do. Service learning with be a great learning experience for me and I
will benefit very much from it.

Lacks Medical Center

Lacks Enterprises is a manufacturing company in Grand Rapids. Lacks offers to their

employees an occupational health office on site which is called the Lacks Medical Center. They
perform pre employment physicals, physicals for workers that are injured at work or are coming
back from an injury, and also actual physicals that are done by the physician, Dr. Bursch. No
employee is allowed back to work who has been off for medical reasons without the physical
done and employees can no stop working at Lacks until a pre employment physical is done. The
Lacks family has donated money to St. Marys Hospital which has turned into the Lacks Cancer

Center. The founder of Lacks Enterprises, Richard Lacks Sr. was diagnosed with cancer and has
passed away. Many of his grand kids are on the board at the Lacks Cancer Center.

Volunteer Role

I will be volunteering for 30+ hours at the Lacks Medical Center doing different tasks. I
will be helping Dr. Bursch with taking BP, weight, temperature, urine tests and assisting him
with getting the rooms ready each employee. I will be helping the RN, Barb Kladder, BSN, with
vision tests and hearing tests. She will also show me the billing/insurance side of the medical
aspect. Any flu shots that need to be given I will also be allowed to do. I not only will be doing
patient contact work, but also I will be taught how the office side of nursing works, which is
something I have a interest in doing once I graduate. Ill get to learn all of this also in a out of
school context with people I am not familiar with so it will help my learning techniques.

Objectives R/T Nursing

I hope that I learn more the office work/business side of nursing. We had speakers
come to our clinical in post conference who did that at MCMC and I really found it interesting. I
love patient care, but to have more choices makes it so much more worth it. I dont think I will
have much opportunity to see that part of it with how busy our rotations are, so I can get a
focused learning experience this way. I hope that I do get to give flu shots because now that I can
pass medications, I really enjoy it and I think it will be very beneficial to me to do this to
employees also. They have 20-30 pre employments Tuesday-Fridays so I know that I will be
very busy, meeting new people, all different races and ages and that will be good experience for
me also. This seems like more of a doctor office setting, which will also be a good focused area

for me to learn about. I will be there to help and assist and give the Dr. and RN a view on a
current nursing student. Barb has been a nurse for over 30 years and Dr. Bursch is close to
retirement, seeing and hearing there point of views will be very helpful to me and them!

Activities

I know that I will be getting urine samples done, to check for drug tests. I will be
filling out paperwork that goes back to the HR determining if they are eligible or not. For the
patients that are coming back from medical leave or had an injury at work, I will be helping Dr.
Brusch with assessments. I will be giving BP, manually, which I havent done since lab, so that
will give me really good practice. I will be filling out and seeing how the paperwork, insurance
and billing aspect of a medical agency works also. If I volunteer during times when employees
want flu shots, I will be able to give those to them, if the opportunity comes up.

Evaluation

I will make sure that the tasks that I am given to do are done in an orderly fashion.
Everything that I know and have learned I will bring into play while I am on the service learning
experience. I will be helping not only be helping the company, its future and current employees
but, also the Dr. and RN who run Lacks Medical Center. I want to make sure that I am learning
this different aspect of nursing that I can get a perspective and an idea on if I see myself in this in
the future.

References
Bell, C., Horn, B., & Roxas, K. (2007, May). We know it's service, but what are they learning?
Preservice teachers understandings of diversity. Equity and Excellence in Education,
40(2), 123133.
Http://www.healthgrades.com/group-directory/michigan-mi/grand-rapids/lacks-enterprisesmedical-center-4c64aaff
Http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/colleges/alliedhe/Nursing/homepage.htm

Appendix

Contact Information includes Barb Kladder, RN BSN, 2120 43rd St, SE Suite 500 Grand Rapids,
MI 49512. Phone number to reach her is 616-455-5443 and her email address is
b.kladder@lacksenterprises.com