Hello! My name is Axell Komlan, and I am so excited to be in the 5th cohort of Bon Secours Ministry Volunteers located in Richmond, Virginia! I am originally from Laveen, Arizona, where I was raised by a loving family of five. I am also a proud graduate of the University of Notre Dame (Go Irish!) with a major in Science Preprofessional Studies and a minor in Theology. Aside from watching reruns of The Office and learning how to cook, I enjoy taking long walks, engaging with my faith, and spending time with family and loved ones.

I joined the Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry Program because I was drawn to the Charism of the Sisters of Bon Secours Congregation: bringing God’s compassion, liberation, and healing to the poor, sick, and dying. As the 2022-2023 Spiritual Care and Ministry Intern, not only am I interested in learning about the intersections between spiritual care, social justice, and medicine, but I am also interested in seeing the face of God through the lives of my housemates and the patients who I encounter. After I conclude my year of service, I plan to enter the medical profession and serve underprivileged groups. By participating in this program, I hope to learn about common socioeconomic concerns and material conditions that negatively affect the health outcomes of underserved communities (both within the United States and around the world).