I am taking a class this semester that allows students on a pre-medical track to shadow various types of doctors working at any Ohio State hospital. Usually undergraduate students are not permitted to shadow university affiliated physicians, so this is such a special opportunity and I am so beyond lucky to have received a place in this class. I was recently assigned to shadow Dr. Kauffman, an emergency medicine physician for 8.5 months out of the year and a general hospitalist for the other 3.5 months out of the year. Dr. Kauffman is an extremely accomplished woman who not only has her DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine) degree but also received her masters in public health before attending medical school, and I have learned so much from her already. She is insanely caring and goes out of her way to make sure every single one her patients feels comfortable around her. She taught me that great doctors aren’t just sympathetic, they’re empathetic and compassionate and dedicated. People trust her, people respect her, and she is exactly the type of doctor I aspire to be in the future.