Informational Interview with Dr. Sabrena Noria.

Why did you select this individual to interview?
I work as a student assistant for the department of general surgery at the medical center. Of the twelve surgeons whose paperwork I deal with, Dr. Noria is the only female. As a woman who hopes to pursue a career in surgery, I thought that Dr. Noria could not only give me insight on what being a doctor is like, but also the challenges associated with being a woman in medicine.

Describe the major responsibilities associated with their current role.
Dr. Noria is a surgeon for the Division of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Her major responsibilities include meeting with patients at her clinic, making diagnoses, and performing surgeries. Dr. Noria primarily does minimally invasive surgeries on her patients. She is also a mother, which in my opinion, is another full time job.

Discuss how the person prepared for this role, and if they provided you with any advice as what you might be able to do to prepare for a similar career.
It took Dr. Noria many years to reach the status she has in her field today. She obtained her bachelor’s degree of science in biology from The University of Toronto, graduating with honors in 1994. She continued her education for the next eight years at The University of Toronto. She received a PhD in philosophy before completing their doctor of medicine program in 2005. Dr. Noria completed her general surgery residency before leaving Toronto to come to The Ohio State University to begin her hard earned career as a general surgeon.

Summarize any insights from the interview that might be helpful in your academic or career preparation.
This interview made me realize that becoming a doctor is not always as easy as four years of undergrad followed by four years of medical school like I thought. There is chance I won’t get into any medical school next fall and will have to come up with a back up plan.

My name is Stevie Muscarella and I am a second year Health Sciences Scholar at The Ohio State University. I am majoring in psychology and minoring in biology on a pre-medicine track. I currently work for the Department of General Surgery as a student assistant and Darby Glenn Nursing and Rehabilitation Center as a state tested nurse’s aide. I volunteer at the front desk of the Ronald McDonald House every Friday night. I want to pursue a career in pediatric surgery. I am passionate about working with children. I spend my summers as a camp counselor at The Ohio State University Recreational Department’s Camp Recky. I hope to be working at Children’s Hospital as a Nurse’s Aide by the end of this year.