LEADing with the Heart: A Service-Learning Project

Authors

Bryanna Sparks, University of Central FloridaFollow
Mia Quinones, University of Central FloridaFollow
Rachel Waldman, University of Central FloridaFollow
Uma Sreekumar, University of Central FloridaFollow

Streaming Media

Files

Course Code

LDR

Course Number

3215

Faculty/Instructor

Dr. Stacey Malaret

Faculty/Instructor Email

stacey.malaret@ucf.edu

About the Author

As UCF LEAD Scholars, we are enrolled in LDR3215, which is a service-learning course that teaches us leadership in healthcare. All 4 of us are pre-med and plan on working as doctors, or in other roles, within the medical field.

We would like to thank Hearts for the Homeless Orlando for their collaboration and support during this project. Their dedication to community service and social impact inspired us and provided valuable real-world context. We are grateful to Anvita, the screenings director, as well as volunteers who shared their time, experiences, and insights.

We would also like to thank our LDR3215 professor, Dr. Stacey Malaret, for her guidance, encouragement, and support throughout this project. Her insightful feedback and patience helped us refine our ideas and maintain focus. We are grateful for the time and effort she dedicated to helping us succeed.

We would like to show our gratitude to the UCF LEAD Scholars Academy for providing the academic foundation, resources, and learning environment that made this project possible. LEAD’s commitment to excellence and innovation has encouraged us to apply our knowledge beyond the classroom.

Abstract, Summary, or Creative Statement

In this service-learning project, for LDR3215, we worked with Hearts for the Homeless Orlando to learn more about their organization for the past semester through volunteer service. Throughout our service experience, we conducted free health screenings for the homeless population of downtown Orlando. These screenings included blood pressure, EKG readings, hearing exams, and vision tests. We were able to grow as leaders and as future health professionals. Over the course of our project, we completed over 60 hours of service

Keywords

Healthcare; Underserved Populations; Homeless Outreach; LEAD Scholars Academy; Healthcare; Community Health, Healthcare Access Screenings; Service-Learning; Medical; Pre-Med; Hearts for the Homeless; Leadership Development; Citizenship; Civic Responsibility

Recommended Citation

Sparks, Bryanna; Quinones, Mia; Waldman, Rachel; and Sreekumar, Uma, "LEADing with the Heart: A Service-Learning Project" (2025). High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2025. 12.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/12