It’s not very common for a young adult fresh out of high school to have already figured out what they hope to accomplish in life, but 19-year-old Jaysun Puryear has never fit the mold of the traditional high school student. A recent addition to Beaufort Memorial’s patient transport team, Jaysun worked multiple jobs throughout high school while also taking college-level classes in preparation for his new position, and he’s enjoyed every minute.
“I’ve wanted to work in the hospital since I was 13,” he says. “Now, I go through the hallways, thinking ‘Dang, I’m really in the hospital.’”
Starting off as a Rising Star
Although he has been employed since August 2023, Jaysun’s first on-the-job experience at Beaufort Memorial occurred in 2022 as part of our Rising Star Youth Volunteer Program. The two-week summer program gives high school students an opportunity to volunteer in clinical and nonclinical hospital settings and, hopefully, inspire them to pursue health care careers.
For Jaysun, the program succeeded. Not only did he make himself valuable during his first summer, he also returned for a second summer to mentor other youth volunteers.
“It was a great opportunity,” he says. “I asked as many questions as I could. I made sure everyone knew my name and remembered me. I really enjoyed it.”
During his first summer, he volunteered in the lab with pathologists and got exposure to cardiac imaging, which is something he continues to be interested in.
Finding a Place in Patient Transport
As a patient transporter, Jaysun moves patients between units within the hospital, for example, for testing and other procedures. It’s a vital role that often goes unnoticed.
“It’s like a background program where we just make things happen easier and quicker,” Jaysun says.
On call during his 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. shifts, Jaysun responds whenever the medical team needs a patient to be moved. Some days can be crazy, he says, but he enjoys having the ability to see the many different areas of the hospital to further his interests in the medical field.
“My hobby is learning,” he says. “This job gives me a lot of opportunities to do that.”
Jaysun just graduated from an emergency medical technician (EMT) program at Technical College of the Lowcountry. He’s also interested in electrocardiography and radiologic technology, two fields he’s considering pursuing after becoming an EMT while continuing as a transporter at Beaufort Memorial.
Speaking the Language
Born and raised in Beaufort, Jaysun has his sights set on broader horizons. His mother and grandmother both speak multiple languages, and he aims to, as well, so he can travel internationally.
He learned Spanish in high school and keeps his skills sharp by reading Spanish books and talking with Spanish speakers as much as possible. Working as a patient transporter provides the perfect opportunity to practice. Anytime Jaysun overhears a patient speaking Spanish, he starts up a conversation.
“I love being able to connect with someone who speaks Spanish,” he says. “It may seem like a small thing, but it can make a big difference. It helps patients feel more comfortable and makes their experience a little bit better.”
Never content to stop learning, he plans to learn German, which every member of his mother’s family speaks. Once he’s mastered that language, he plans to visit his great-grandmother in Germany so he can speak to her in her native tongue.
Where Credit Is Due
On top of being hardworking, Jaysun is humble and quick to give credit where it’s due, starting with crediting his family for his strong work ethic.
“There was a time when my mom was working two or three jobs and taking care of her family,” Jaysun says. “My stepdad has three or four jobs at any given time.”
He also credits his co-workers and mentors at Beaufort Memorial for inspiring him to further his health care education.
Deb Cofer, cath lab technician in the Beaufort Memorial Cochrane Heart Center, took Jaysun under her wing as soon as he started, showing him the ropes and introducing him to the fields of imaging and emergency medical care.
“One of the first things she told me when I started working here was, ‘You remind me of my son,’” Jaysun recalls. “She’s always tried to help me out in any way she can.”
With youth on his side, Jaysun’s future is far from settled. He has plans to pursue as many interests as possible before settling on a final career path.
“The best part about working as a transporter is being able to walk around the different parts of the hospital and see and touch on what they do,” he says. “There are a lot of possibilities out there. I have a lot of ideas of what I could do.”
Eager to put your skills and passion to work in your community? Browse current job openings at Beaufort Memorial.