From MarinHealth Volunteer to Medical Assistant - The Common Thread is Hana Ongwongsakul's Passion for Patient Care
Meet Hana Ongwongsakul, a bright star at MarinHealth Medical Network whose journey exemplifies dedication and passion for patient care. Living in Novato, Hana first discovered the MarinHealth Volunteer Services program through a friend of a friend. With a bachelor’s degree in biology from UC Riverside and a strong desire to make a difference in healthcare, she eagerly signed up to volunteer, seeking to explore various roles within the hospital.
Hana was particularly drawn to the variety of patient interactions she was able to have in the Volunteer Services program, learning the layout of the hospital while assisting with wayfinding, engaging with patients, and making rounds with the “Kindness Cart,” which provides comfort to patients waiting in the Emergency Department and other spaces. “I really enjoyed being the first point of contact for patients and impacting their experience,” Hana said.
Hana had the opportunity to assist in the Emergency Department, where she used coloring books to help ease children’s anxiety—a small gesture that significantly aids in the healing process, she said. After a year of dedicated volunteering from April 2023 to June 2024, Hana knew she wanted to further her career in healthcare.
With a long-term goal of becoming a Physician Assistant, Hana realized she needed to accumulate 2,000 hours of patient care experience. After talking to several PAs at MarinHealth, she decided that becoming a Medical Assistant (MA) would be the ideal pathway for her. Completing an M.A. course, she earned her certification and subsequently applied to MarinHealth Urology, marking the next step in her career. "Hana was a dedicated volunteer—we were sad to lose her—but happy to gain her as an M.A.!” said Judy Nielsen, Supervisor of Volunteer Services.
As an M.A., Hana finds joy in getting to know patients and delivering the best care possible. “I love that there are opportunities to grow within MarinHealth, and the patients are great,” she said. The role has allowed her to expand her skills and responsibilities while continuing her journey towards becoming a PA with plans to apply to Dominican University’s well-regarded program, where several of her colleagues are alumni.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Hana is a proud dog "sister" to Gandalf, her family's 60-pound English Goldendoodle. In her downtime, she enjoys playing guitar, further showcasing her creative side.
Hana’s story is one of passion and perseverance, and her team is proud to have her working alongside them, where she continues to make a positive impact on the lives of our patients and colleagues. You can learn more about MarinHealth Volunteer Services at: https://www.mymarinhealth.org/about-us/volunteer-services/ and more about MarinHealth Urology at: https://www.mymarinhealth.org/locations/urology-greenbrae/.
Pictured above: Hana Ongwongsakul at MarinHealth Medical Center, and left, Hana with her family dog, Gandalf.
