Artifacts

During my senior year in high school, I was given the opportunity to shadow Dr. Schumer, an ophthalmologist in central Ohio, who founded the ReVision LASIK and Cataract Surgery Center.  When I arrived at his office that morning, I was given a pair of scrubs and was briefed on the surgeries that I was going to observe, making me feel as if I was the doctor in the situation.  Throughout the course of the day, I was able to oversee four cataract surgeries and two laser eye or LASIK surgeries, all of which were performed by Dr. Schumer.

Prior to this event, I had no knowledge or interest in optometry but was excited to be around the professional setting of the operating room and learn more about the field.  During my time with Dr. Schumer, I learned what a cataract is, how it is removed, what replaces the old lens, and how technology has shaped the modern world of optometry.  Dr. Schumer explained to me that the eye surgery is conducted using a procedure called ‘phacoemulsification.’  This method uses ultrasound waves to break apart the lens so the cataract can be removed, while a personalized intra-ocular lens (IOL) is placed inside the eye to allow for clear vision.  Patients are awake for the surgery and remain conscious throughout the entire duration of operation, so Dr. Schumer allowed me to ask patients various questions about their vision before and after the procedure.  This portion of the experience was impactful to me because I could feel the appreciation and amazement in each patients voice.

Personally, watching this procedure was extremely fascinating and this experience overall helped further my knowledge and interest in the medical field.

 


As I began my second semester at Ohio State, I wanted to become more involved in student life and join one of the numerous clubs offered at the university.  I was invited to attend a general meeting for the NeuroLaw student organization, a discussion group merging the extensive fields of neuroscience and political science.  At these meetings, a group of thirty or less science-involved students discuss various questions surrounding a particular journal article chosen for that week.  At the first meeting I attended, the article debated whether the insertion of human “mini-brains” into rodents has the potential to broaden scientists’ understanding of neurological disease while considering the ethics surrounding potential consciousness in these subjects.  After reading the article, questions were posed such as “Should patients be asked specifically to consent to organoid growth in addition to other lab uses?” and “Is there an ethical issue with human-animal blurring (producing human organs in other animals)?”. Image result for neurolaw Each student is able to voice their opinion on each topic and debate the points of others in hopes to reach a group consensus.  I fell in love with the depth of conversation and enjoyed hearing the opinions of my peers as I am able to give my own input but also learn.  Since this meeting, I have been very involved in the organization and hope to take a leadership position on the executive board in the future.  Through this experience, I am broadening my knowledge of political science, gaining new insight surrounding research, and building upon the information in which I am learning in my courses.  I see my involvement in this organization beneficial to my future as a physician as I am acquiring knowledge on current research and gaining new skills in medical discourse.  More information on this organization can be found on the designated website: http://org.osu.edu/neurolaw/

 

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