I have always had a love for the healthcare field and the direct impact healthcare workers have on our lives. More recently, I have been more interested in the study of blood diseases (Hematology) as it is something that runs in my family. I aspire to become a physician and to be more specific, a Pediatric Hematologist. Thanks to the AnnieRuth Foundation’s Summer Internship Program, I was given the opportunity to intern with several medical professionals at several locations such as Baptist Health, Dr. Bennett’s clinic, as well as Dr. Foy’s clinic.
During my time at Baptist Health, I was placed in the Neurosurgery unit where I got to shadow various Medical Assistants, Registered Nurses, Researchers, and Surgeons. Doing so has allowed me to genuinely appreciate how much work is put into the care of each patient and how it really does take a village to be successful. Several researchers at Baptist, were extremely instrumental in my learning experience. I also became well informed on aneurysms and strokes as well as the methods Neurosurgeons use to treat them. While at Dr. Bennett’s Primary Care Clinic I got to see more doctor-patient interactions, learned how to correctly use a stethoscope, and became well versed on what exactly Type 2 Diabetes is. During my time at Dr. Foy’s Primary Care clinic, I was able to see how differently it was run in comparison to Dr. Bennett’s. While there I had the opportunity to interact with patients, check their pulses, and even watch Dr. Foy give a Pap Smear to multiple patients. This internship has truly made me more certain of the career I aspire to pursue.
Overall, being an AnnieRuth Foundation’s Summer Internship Award Recipient enabled me to explore various fields within healthcare as well as network with various medical professionals. Through this program I was able to obtain my Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, build up my resume, and develop invaluable skills needed in the workforce. The lessons, skills, and relationships built from this program will forever stay with me as I continue to venture on throughout life. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity, especially with me being a high school student, and I am forever grateful.