Zach Mangel
Midpoint Reflection — Post 2
I am currently six weeks into my job as a perioperative intern at MetroHealth Hospitals in Cleveland, OH. This opportunity has been extremely valuable for both my personal and professional development. It has given me valuable insight on how perioperative services work in a hospital setting as well as affirmed my desire to become a physician and possibly a surgeon.
My job allows me to be a part of the surgical process from start to finish. Early in the morning, I work in the preoperative area, where I assist the nurses in preparing patients for surgery. This often consists of taking patients back from the waiting room, obtaining a set of vitals, ensuring they are ready for surgery, and having them change into a hospital gown. Then, once they are taken off to the operating room, I help reset the room and get ready for the next round of patients. Once the morning rush has passed, I move to the operating room area where I ensure that each room has enough stock to last the day. Finally, in the later half of the day, I work in the PACU, or post anesthesia care unit. In this area, patients are recovering from surgery. I am primarily responsible for transporting these patients either to their room for an overnight stay or to their car to go home.
My favorite thing that I’ve done is my infection control project in the operating room. As part of my role as a perioperative intern, I am auditing surgeries with the hope of using this data to reduce the number of infections caused while patients are most vulnerable. The project is very engaging while giving me the chance to observe surgery from steps away. Last week, I was able to watch total hip replacements, an opportunity that was unbelievable and more than ever imagined I’d be able to see for this job.
Entering into the summer, my goals were to gain practical exposure to the healthcare field and develop essential skills that will prepare me for medical school and, eventually, a career as a physician. I think that this experience is doing just that. I feel this most in my patient interactions. Where early on I was nervous that I would make mistakes, I now feel much more confident and comfortable speaking with patients. Something that I didn’t anticipate is how much I would enjoy my conversations with the people that come through the area. Because MetroHealth is the county hospital and serves everyone regardless of their ability to pay, I have the opportunity to meet and interact with the diverse populations that live in Cleveland and hear about their unique experiences. I believe that learning about their lives will give me a deeper understanding of how people who are not like me experience life and will allow me to be more compassionate and effective as a future healthcare provider.
One of the most difficult things for me this summer has been balancing my work, my MCAT medical school entrance exam studies, and personal time. This has been the busiest time of my life, consistently busy from 6:00am when I wake up to 11:30pm when I finish studying or get back from my men’s summer ice hockey league. However, as overwhelmed and exhausted I feel at times, I also see that I am managing and even thriving. Medical school and residency is known to be grueling and is the reason many don’t choose this path. However, this summer is giving me that chance to prove to myself that I am capable and motivated enough to go down this road and succeed. It is helping me build the confidence that I know I will later need to become the leader I want to be in this prestigious field.
Pre-Departure Reflection — Post 1
I am excited to begin my role as a perioperative intern at MetroHealth Hospital in Cleveland, OH. This healthcare institution is known for providing exceptional care and, as a public safety net hospital, serves all patients regardless of their ability to pay. My internship will be under the mentorship of Debra Sparks, the director of perioperative services at the hospital, as well as the experienced perioperative nursing team. As a pre-med student aspiring to become a doctor, this opportunity to gain hands-on clinical experience in perioperative care is invaluable. I intend to dedicate my entire summer to this internship, working full time from June 3 until mid-August. During this time, I aim to make significant contributions to patient care, deepen my understanding of surgical procedures, and develop essential skills that will serve me well on my journey to becoming a doctor
My primary goal for this summer experience is to gain practical exposure to the healthcare field and develop essential skills that will prepare me for medical school and, eventually, a career as a physician. Specifically, I aim to learn how to assist surgical teams, ensure the safety and comfort of patients in the pre- and postoperative setting, and effectively communicate with interdisciplinary healthcare professionals. This experience is crucial for both my personal and professional growth. As someone passionate about serving others and making a positive impact in healthcare, perioperative nursing offers a unique opportunity to witness firsthand the complexities of patient care in a surgical setting. In this experience, I envision refining my critical thinking skills, sharpening my ability to work under pressure, and simply gaining a better understanding of how patient care is delivered in a hospital setting.
What excites me the most about this opportunity is the chance to actively contribute to patient care, especially in a surgical context. I have always thought of surgery as an area that interests me as a career path, and I am excited to see how my perceptions shape up toward reality. Some aspects that I feel more nervous about are the fact that I will be assisting in patient care with real people who will have real consequences if I fail to do my job adequately. This makes it vitally important that I am consistently focused and on task so that each patient receives the best possible outcome. To navigate challenges during my internship, I plan to approach each obstacle as an opportunity for growth rather than a roadblock. I will seek feedback from mentors, actively participate in educational opportunities, and reflect on my experiences to identify areas for improvement.
Reflecting on my past experiences, I have several skills that will help me succeed in this endeavor. I’ve volunteered during the school year in the Orthopedic and Trauma nursing unit for the last two years, which allowed me to begin to develop patient communication skills and the ability to anticipate patient needs. I built on these skills last summer as Chester Scholar, also at MetroHealth, where I researched social drivers of health and patient support networks in the Trauma patient population through surveying and chart review. This deepened my understanding of how patient care is delivered and showed me where the system is somewhat lacking in its care. I hope that I will be able to carry over these skills in my new role.
From this experience, I hope to specifically gain proficiency in nursing techniques, including patient monitoring, transport, positioning, sterilization. Furthermore, I aim to develop my leadership skills, taking initiative in providing care and helping other members of the team where I am able. Upon completion of my internship, I hope to bring back a wealth of knowledge, skills, and experiences to my Chapel Hill community, UNC, and future endeavors. Professionally, I aspire to leverage my nursing experience into a gap year opportunity, medical school, and onto my career as a physician. Personally, I aim to inspire and mentor other aspiring healthcare professionals, sharing insights gained from my internship to support their growth.