Volunteer Spotlight: Kora Shamloo and Cathleen Scully

This month we caught up with Culmore Clinic volunteers Kora Shamloo (left) and Cathleen Scully (right), a mother-daughter duo who share a passion for healthcare and IT. They spoke to us about the ways in which they have put their medical and IT backgrounds to use for Culmore Clinic, along with their favorite hobbies and love for their dogs, Stella and Milo!

What do you do professionally and where?

Kora: I am a student at George Mason University. I’m currently working on a Master’s degree in health informatics. 

Cathleen: I am a program/data manager for the Center for Behavioral Healthcare Integration (C4BHI). My primary responsibilities include project management and data visualization.

How do you volunteer at Culmore Clinic?

Kora: Within the clinic, I contribute my expertise in IT-related matters. I am currently examining and cleaning clinic data and working to transform it into valuable insights that can drive meaningful outcomes. It’s all fairly new as I started volunteering about a month ago.

Cathleen: I too contribute my expertise in IT-related matters. In addition to transforming data with Kora I have assisted with data collection for varied reports, setting up documentation guidelines for the diabetes workshop, and various other IT focused tasks. I started all of this about four months ago.

What originally drew you to volunteer?

Kora: I have a passion for healthcare and a desire to assist those in need. That led me to seek an opportunity where I could utilize the skills and knowledge I’ve acquired through my degree. 

Cathleen: My current professional position does not involve much collaboration or in-person opportunities. I was excited to volunteer at Culmore, not just to help with their data needs, but to collaborate and work with others in The Clinic. 

I imagine it's special to be working as a mother and daughter together in these roles?

Kora: I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate closely and share our passion for providing care to underserved populations. We bring complementary skills and knowledge to the table, which enhances our ability to contribute effectively. I’ve had the opportunity to learn from her vast experience and receive great advice and guidance.  

Cathleen: I agree! It has been fun to collaborate and work together. 

What are some things you love about volunteering at Culmore Clinic?

Kora: I love seeing the impact the clinic has on the communities they serve. I also love being a part of a dedicated team of healthcare professionals and volunteers who all share the common goal of making a positive difference in the community. 

Cathleen: I agree with Kora, I really enjoy working with the team. Everyone at the clinic is helpful and so welcoming. 

When you’re not volunteering, what do you like to do for fun? 

Cathleen: Kora and I live in Mclean with our 2 dogs Stella and Milo. We enjoy taking the dogs on hikes and going to the dog park. In our spare time we like to travel and experience different cuisines and Kora is an amazing cook!