My career aspiration is in the field of orthopedics, either in physical/occupational therapy or in a newly found desire to be an orthopedic surgeon. Ever since my middle school biology class, I became fascinated by human anatomy, specifically in the mechanics of the musculoskeletal system. The AnnieRuth Foundation has helped me garner hands-on experience and expand my knowledge by placing me with medical professionals in my desired field. Not only did I intern within my desired field, but I was also placed in different specialties which widened my horizons to different fields of medicine.
During my internship experience, I was able to work with various doctors. I initially worked with Dr. Sutton, an endocrinologist, and learned lots about this field. From communicating with patients about their A1C levels to experiencing the removal of blood from a thyroid nodule, I developed an understanding of Dr. Sutton’s expertise and the daily schedule of an M.D. in his field. Although I was focused more on orthopedics, the things that I learned from Dr. Sutton’s office allowed me to consider another route in the medical field. I also worked with Dr. Rizk, an orthopedic surgeon, who works with my desired field of physical/occupational therapy, as he sends his post-op patients there for them to recover. His expertise on the musculoskeletal system, along with his anecdotes of the surgeries he participated in, sparked a newfound passion as an orthopedic surgeon. In my final week, I participated in a joint experience with other fellow interns at the Baptist Neurology Group Downtown, learning about brain disorders and diseases including strokes and aneurysms. We were even able to practice using a catheter in a computer-generated simulation of a real patient, which was very intriguing.
My experience within the AnnieRuth Foundation is something I will never take for granted. I learned many things during the monthly Teams meetings, from business ethics to communication skills, along with the doctors I worked with during my summer internship. I cannot thank this organization enough for the things I was able to experience, and I will make sure all the information I gained during my time here will help me excel in my future. Thank you so much!