Cool Kid Katherine Mena volunteers at Van Nuys hospital

VAN NUYS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- This week's ABC7 Cool Kid is Katherine Mena, who helps nurses and doctors by volunteering at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys.

Once a week the 16-year-old spends part of her day in the cardiac laboratory.

"I've always liked helping people and it's an amazing way for me to give back while also doing something that I enjoy," Katherine said.

Katherine is such an asset to the hospital, she even helps to train other volunteers as well.

"Katherine is an example and she has assisted us to train other student volunteers because she has that positive attitude," Virginia Rivero Napoles with Valley Presbyterian Hospital said. "Her demeanor, no matter what we ask, she always goes above and beyond."

Katherine said she hopes to become a cardiac surgeon one day, which is why she's already taking college courses in addition to her honors science classes at Grover Cleveland High School in Reseda.

"Watching heart procedures it's just awesome because I get to see the cardiologists and how they work with the veins and everything and it's just really cool," Katherine said.

Know an amazing young person making a difference in the community? Learn how to nominate them to be an ABC7 Cool Kid at abc7.com/coolkids.