Hello, my name is George Liu, and I’m a senior at The Ohio State University studying Biomedical Engineering through the Integrated Business and Engineering Program. Growing up, I was fascinated by medicine and partly driven by the idea of becoming the first physician in my family. But it was really when I began working at Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital that I truly began to understand what it means to care for another person. 

I first became involved with Dodd in the summer of 2024 as a Safety Coach, spending one-on-one time with patients who needed additional supervision and support. Wanting to contribute more directly to their care, I trained to become a Patient Care Associate. Today, I've taken care of hundreds of patients recovering from spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, strokes, and other life-altering conditions through vitals, assisting with hygiene and mobility, drawing blood, and supporting patients throughout their rehabilitation. Because many patients remain at Dodd for weeks, I have had the privilege of seeing them not only on their hardest days, but also as they slowly regain strength, independence, and confidence. 

One patient in particular changed the way I think about care. Cheryl, a woman with advanced dementia, carried a pillow printed with a photograph of her late husband and spoke to it as though he were still beside her. What could easily have been treated as a distraction became, for me, a way to reach her. By including her husband in our conversations and care, I watched her agitation turn into trust—and eventually heard more laughter coming from her room. Cheryl taught me that rehabilitation is not only about helping someone regain what their body has lost; it is also about preserving the dignity, identity, and humanity that remain. 

That is why I am fundraising for Dodd during my time on Homecoming Court. Recovery after a life-changing injury or illness extends far beyond a hospital bed, requiring specialized rehabilitation, compassionate caregivers, adaptive resources, and support that helps patients rebuild their independence and return to the lives and people they love. Dodd has shaped the kind of future physician I hope to become, and this fundraiser is my opportunity to give back to the patients and families who have taught me so much. I hope you will join me in supporting a hospital that helps preserve people's paths forward.