I am in cohort 2024 of the Annie Ruth Summer Internship Experience and attended my internship in two medical facilities. The first two weeks I shadowed Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Collete Ikem at Florida Health Women’s and Children Center. The last two weeks I was an intern at Baptist Lyerly Neurosurgery Center. My career aspiration is to be a trauma surgeon, although this experience opened my eyes to a world of various medical fields, I am now not too sure if I still do. Although I am okay with it because my love for medicine has grown.
During the 2024 cohort, I had been preparing for this internship. Monthly business seminars and professional development were key to my success in navigating the two facilities I was placed in. Then all the students were split into groups upon our aspirations, I was placed in medical professionals. My classmates and I went through a week of medical basics to further prepare us for the medical facilities we would intern at. We all became BLS certified, lectured about the many paths of healthcare, and etiquette training for the internship.
I utilized my newfound skills in the wonderful experience at Florida Health Women’s and Children Center. My first two weeks consisted of shadowing various procedures and assisting patients. I learned a lot about women’s health including during pregnancy. I shadowed and assisted in various procedures like pap smears, blood draws, and measuring the fetal length and width. I was able to see Trich (Trichomoniasis) and BV (Bacterial Vaginosis) under the microscope. I had so much fun learning about different medical treatments and being a part of women’s health. The second facility I attended was intense at Baptist Lyerly Neurosurgery Center. I interned with nursing, doctors/surgeons, and the research team. This location has a specialty for Stroke. I learned a lot about stroke and aneurisms. I was able to watch multiple surgeries of stents inserted in the brain vessels. I also got to practice placing one in a model. The research team educated me and fellow students about multiple studies concerning stroke. It was a privilege to be taught by these experts and I will cherish their passions to further patient care.
This experience was a paid vacation. Words cannot describe how impactful and the extent of exposure I received this summer. I am very grateful these wonderful medical professionals were passionate about teaching us. Also, a thank you to the Annie Ruth Foundation for making it all possible and rewarding us students with a stipend.