Frank Cockerill - Volunteering Is a Transformative Experience Summary: Frank Cockerill, a leading scientist and medical professional, has engaged in numerous volunteer opportunities over the course of his career, including medical missionary work in Haiti. He explains his belief that volunteer work benefits the individual, too.
Location: Rochester, Minnesota Frank Cockerill is a distinguished microbiologist and leader in the medical field. He has compiled a very impressive resume over the years. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, American College of Chest Physicians, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and American Academy of Microbiology. He is a member or has recently served as a member on the board of the American Clinical Laboratory Association, Board of Scientific Counslors for theCenters for Disease Control, and Association for Molecular Pathology. In his free time, he prefers to unwind with leisurely activities such as gardening and playing the piano. Frank Cockerill has engaged in numerous charitable activities over the course of his career, including providing medical missionary services in Haiti. He believes that charity work is a transformative experience for not only the community, but also the individual offering their services. One reason that volunteer work is transformative for an individual is that it instills them with a sense of making a difference. It is important for humans to be filled with a sense of purpose in order to find happiness. Frank Cockerill can witness the good he is doing on an everyday basis but not every profession is like that. For many people, especially those working for a large organization, their efforts might not be immediately or visibly felt. It is important for people to create something through the labor of their hands. This is proven to instill a greater sense of purpose within an individual. Another reason charitable activities are a beneficial experience for the individual, says Frank Cockerill, is that it broadens a person's awareness of their community. By performing work at the ground level, an individual has a better chance of hearing news that directly impacts them. In this same token, a person is able to build fulfilling relationships with people in their community. Humans are social creatures; it is important for us to be filled with a sense of connection to those who surround us. Frank Cockerill, a scientist and leader in the medical field, is grateful that his career has granted him the opportunity to make a substantial difference in his community.