Hello! My name is Emma Schlotthauer and I am an aspiring pediatric trauma surgeon. First off, I would like to begin with a quote that I once read. That quote read: “The walls of this hospital have heard more honest prayers than most churches. They have seen more sincere goodbyes than most airports. And they have brought families closer together than most reunions.” The idea of being a part of something so great and something so rewarding propels my desire to become a surgeon. I aspire to be a part of the journey of saving lives. My ambition to help others plays a vital role in my life. I feel as though my endeavors in life are not complete without this drive. I strive to help diagnose illnesses, injuries, and diseases to fulfill my ambitions of being a physician. With one of a surgeon’s roles being to improve patients’ lives, I have felt an overall connection encompassing my heart and mind that drives my soul beyond the bounds of possibility. I found an element of myself attached to the medical field. Saving and easing the lives of others is one of my biggest endeavors that I feel can best be expressed on a medical stage, as seen with the job of a surgeon. The six-week internship program has allowed me to gain meaningful insight and information to carry forth into my future.
During my internship experience, I worked at Baptist, Nemours, and various clinic sites. I had the privilege of being able to work with two medical professionals: Dr. Draus, a pediatric trauma surgeon, and Dr. Price, a nephrologist. During my time with the medical professionals, I was able to shadow each of them in their positions. I was fascinated. When working with Dr. Draus, I was able to observe his work in the clinic diagnosing pediatric patients with various medical conditions that required surgery. To further understand his work, I was able to shadow him in the operating rooms as he surgically cared for and treated his patients. Every step of the way, whether in the clinic or the OR, Dr. Draus was always teaching me about the human body, his job, and his career path. I was able to observe teamwork and communication at its finest during my time with him in the OR. Through Dr. Draus, I was able to further my leadership, teamwork, communication opportunities, and character strengths. This irreplaceable internship experience that I had with him has given me the foundation, intelligence, and joy to be successful in my future. Furthermore, with Dr. Price, I was able to shadow her in her various clinic sites and gain valuable insight on nephrology. With her, I learned about kidney filtration, the differing levels of different ions in the blood and urine and their subsequent impact on kidneys and was provided the opportunity to learn and observe the process of dialysis. Also, during my time with Dr. Price, I learned how to manually take blood pressure using a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff and communicate with patients prior to Dr. Price’s patient evaluation. I have greatly valued my time with Dr. Price and have obtained invaluable skills that will set me up for future success. I have deepened my skills of communication, patient interaction, and intellectual curiosity.
I have greatly valued my internship experience. I learned valuable skills that will allow me to best prepare and pursue my future interests. The hands-on experience, expertise of others, and positive learning environment has allowed me to express my interests to their greatest extent. The AnnieRuth Foundation’s summer internship allowed me to gain the experience of medical experts while placing focus on academic and skill developments which I strive to achieve. The skills I have obtained will benefit me in both my present and future career. I value the opportunities for development, especially in areas that are congruent with my personal goals and passions. My values, determination, work ethic, passion, teamwork, and communication skills thrive because of my internship experience. The opportunities I have had for personal growth and new learning experiences have allowed me to expand my intellectual curiosity and prepare me for the road of success.