Hospital Mentorship

I felt the buzzing of the pager in the pocket of my scrubs. CODE BLUE ROOM 2332. I began to sprint, dashing through the hallways, weaving between people and stretchers. I needed the crash cart. Someone was dying. I bolted up the stairs, skipping two steps with every stride. I burst through the door, grabbed the crash cart from the Logistics Floor, and raced to the elevator. I scrambled to turn the key, overriding the system and demanding that the elevator come directly to me. As I pressed the button reading “2”, I took a second to catch my breath and prepare to sprint once more. When the door opened, I merged into the flow of hospital traffic composed of personnel in the midst of a high-speed chase. The room numbers flashed by: 2328, 2329,

I initially signed up for Seton High School’s Tri-Health Summer Job Program during my freshman year. I viewed this eight-week, paid mentorship at the hospital as a great way to make a little money before college. I didn’t realize that this program would change my life forever. That first summer, I worked in the logistics department. I expected this assignment to be very mundane and boring, but it was anything but that. Despite my young age of just 15, I had the opportunity to respond to any emergency and code in the hospital. I fell in love not only with the adrenaline rush but with the fact that I, a teenager, was experiencing in real life the events that I watched in medical-themed TV shows and movies. Because of my growing interest in the medical field, my mentor provided me with opportunities to observe the work of doctors and other medical professionals in almost every area of the hospital. Luckily, each experience in one area of the hospital lead to even greater opportunities in other areas, some of which few doctors receive. I observed several surgeries- including a gall bladder removal, an exploratory belly, and an open heart surgery-, small procedures in the Cath Lab, and the daily duties in the Radiology, Emergency, Nursing, Intensive Care, Physical Therapy, Pre-Operation, and Post- Operation Units. Although most people would be

Each job has provided me with a new perspective in on the field of healthcare. Overall, I have witnessed over 24 surgeries and have seen what it is like behind the scenes to work in a hospital. In addition, my interest motivated me to seek a unique opportunity outside of the Tri-Health program. Anatomy and AP Biology students at my high school were invited to apply to participate in a leg cadaver lab at a local orthopedic surgery center. Fortunately, I was selected and was thrilled to examine the human anatomy with an incredible “hands-on” experience. Clearly, a simple summer job at a hospital sparked and fueled my interest in science. The string of experiences has directed me to my calling in life. The Tri-Health program helped me realize my interest in medicine and my passion to pursue a career in