Over the past summer, I completed a ten-week internship at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center as a Buckeye Diversity Summer Intern. This experience provided me with an in-depth look at the inner workings of a hospital and the opportunity to explore various healthcare roles. It allowed me to gain valuable insights into the medical field and helped me further assess my aspiration to become a physician.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve aspired to become a physician. However, at the core of this desire is my passion for helping others, and I recognize that there are many ways to make a meaningful impact in healthcare beyond being a doctor. During my internship, I had the chance to shadow a wide range of clinical healthcare professionals, including nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, nurse practitioners, case managers, psychologists, and pharmacists, among others.
This diverse shadowing experience provided me with a comprehensive understanding of each role and its specific scope of practice. It was incredibly valuable in helping me recognize why these professions aren’t the right fit for me and solidified my commitment to pursuing a career as a physician. Additionally, it deepened my appreciation for the collaborative nature of interdisciplinary care and the essential contributions of each discipline.
I also had the chance to interact with individuals in non-clinical roles, which was an eye-opening experience, as I had never considered these positions before. Learning about the extensive behind-the-scenes efforts required to keep a hospital running was both surprising and fascinating, especially seeing how detail-oriented and multifaceted these operations are.
Furthermore, I enjoyed speaking with clinical staff members who also held leadership or operational roles within the medical center. Witnessing this kind of duality was intriguing, as I hadn’t realized it was possible to blend clinical expertise with operational leadership. This insight was exciting because it showed me the potential to balance both clinical practice and operational involvement in my future career.
This experience has reaffirmed my commitment to becoming a physician, and I am determined not to let any obstacles deter me from this path. I’ve come to realize that my personality and strengths are best suited for the role of a physician, where I can take on leadership and decision-making responsibilities. This self-awareness, cultivated throughout my college journey, has solidified my determination to pursue a career in medicine.
This is a picture of me with my three mentors: —Laura Stillion, Amanda Lucas, and Olivia Vance.