Izabel Foshay is a medical scribe at Banner University Medical Center’s outpatient burn and wound clinic in Tucson. Since May, she’s brought her dedication and compassion to the Arizona Burn Foundation, supporting programs and operations to help burn survivors thrive.

What inspired you to get involved in ABF?

As a medical scribe, part of the education I provided to patients included the support and resources available through the Arizona Burn Foundation. I would see all aspects of a patient’s burns – their initial burns, treatments, and healing but I would never see them after they were discharged from the clinic. I wanted to see that their life was like when they were no longer a patient of ours.

How do you think ABF impacts the Tucson community specifically?

Children and adults come to ABF due to a traumatic event with a burn, but ABF has built a community for further healing. There are so many resources that ABF provides, whether that be camps, compression garments, activities – it’s a very important part of healing because it gives them support and establishes that they are not alone.

What kind of volunteer work do you do with ABF?

I provide program support for ABF’s Thrive Programs by creating excel sheets and making flyers. I also help with smoke alarm installations.

What do you love most about being a part of ABF?

What I love most is knowing that the patients have healed, and they are starting to become themselves again. ABF has provided such a positive experience and outlook on a traumatic event – it is incredibly helpful and healing in the long run. In the outpatient clinic, one of the most important concepts for patients is to “get back to being you,” and ABF strives to make that happen,

Can you share a moment when you felt proud to be a volunteer?

I felt very proud helping with logistics for Camp Courage. Many of the children started out as patients and spent weeks to months in hospitals, and now they get to enjoy camp life. ABF does an incredible job giving these kids the best experience they can have.

What would you say to someone considering volunteering with ABF?

I would say do it – 100%. I recently helped with a Deaf and Hard of Hearing smoke alarm installation, and it was a really nice experience talking to the couple. It gave me perspective and reminded me how grateful we should be at every moment.

What would you say to those who may not think they have time to volunteer?

I balance my volunteer work with my other commitments by ensuring I have one free day a week for working with ABF. I make sure I don’t have anything else going on that day, so I don’t overcommit myself.

Izabel, thank you for being a valued part of the Arizona Burn Foundation family and for sharing your journey with us!

If you’re interested in volunteering with ABF, click here to learn more. We’re kicking off our Community Smoke Alarm Walks next month and are always looking for passionate volunteers to help us make a meaningful impact.