Calvin Chu

Materials management technician | HealthPATH mentor

As a materials management technician, we distribute medical supplies throughout the entire hospital. When doctors or nurses need certain supplies for patients, they send down orders or give us a call, and we fill those orders as quickly as possible.

It’s important to be able to show the next generation of health care providers the type of work we do, the service we provide, and how we can be an integral part of the healing process.

I always explain to them, it’s not just doctors and nurses that are involved in this hospital, but it’s also the X-ray technicians, respiratory technicians, housekeeping, central supply, even IT. There’s just so many departments that come together to make this hospital function.

When I let the students know that I’m born and raised in Oakland, and I went to the same high school they went to, their eyes light up. They think it’s cool that I’m able to work here in Oakland and be a part of our community. That’s what they want to do as well.

I wish when I was in high school, we’d had this opportunity. It’s a way for us to serve our community. Because, I think, ultimately everyone wants to help.