At age 13, Simmi Malhotra had a choice to make. Her school was offering credit for volunteer work, and it was up to her to decide what kind. Even as a high school student, Simmi knew who she wanted to spend her time with. “I love being with the seniors.” Her interest in helping older adults led her to volunteering for local hospitals, working on research projects focused on seniors and introducing herself to the team at Atria Bay Shore in New York.

Simmi met with Atria Bay Shore’s Engage Life Director to discuss a volunteering opportunity and immediately felt like she belonged. After their conversation, Simmi started taking the bus to Atria Bay Shore after school, often volunteering at least four hours each day. Within just a few visits, she was already part of the team. “I started calling Atria my family away from home.”

Throughout her high school career, Simmi volunteered more than a hundred hours of her time to various organizations, earning her an award from President Obama and three consecutive recognitions from the town of Islip, Long Island, for her commitment to science and healthcare.

When Atria Bay Shore’s team asked Simmi to join Atria full time a few years later, she says it was an obvious decision. Since then, she’s worked in several roles, like waitstaff and receptionist, and across multiple teams, including Engage Life and Memory Care.

More than 10 years later, Simmi Malhotra is happy with her choice. “We have such a good team; there’s a lot of collaboration. Every employee is so patient with our residents.” Simmi’s current role is Resident Medication Assistant, but she notes her experience keeps her ready for any task. “You name it, I can do it.”

Simmi’s also a third-year medical student pursuing a doctorate degree at St. George’s University. As she begins her clinical rotations and starts more practical work, Simmi looks forward to furthering the ways she can serve older adults. “This will fulfill my lifelong dream of helping these residents.”

After a decade on the job, Simmi has a tip for her 13-year-old self and others like her: “Being a volunteer is so fulfilling. You get more time with residents, and they’re still giving me advice I haven’t ever thought about. Keep going.”