Hi!!
I’m so glad I got to start my internship!
This first week of my internship was so exciting and full of learning. Each morning, I commute to Norwood Medical Center, where I get to shadow and learn from a variety of healthcare professionals—medical doctors (MDs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants (PAs). I’ve been observing how each of them plays a unique and essential role in patient care, and I’m starting to truly understand how the medical team works together to serve patients.
At the start of my internship, I was required to complete a series of online training courses, one of which focused on HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Through this training, I became certified in HIPAA compliance, which means I learned how to properly handle and protect sensitive patient information. The course covered key principles such as patient privacy rights, data security, and the importance of confidentiality in healthcare settings. This training helped me understand the legal and ethical responsibilities that come with working in a medical environment, and it prepared me to interact with patient information in a respectful, professional, and compliant way.
I also had the chance to sit in on different appointments and observe how providers communicate with patients, ask the right questions, and make decisions based on symptoms or medical history. It’s helped me realize how much collaboration, empathy, and critical thinking goes into being a great provider.
One of the most memorable moments this week was during our visit to the emergency room. I was able to witness the full step-by-step process of how patients are assessed, stabilized, and treated in real time. Watching the urgency, teamwork, and professionalism in such a high-pressure setting was incredible. We had a visit of a little boy who had an allergic reaction to peanut butter. It was amazing to see how fast everyone worked to help him, and after that we had to send him to Montrose and everything turned out just fine.
Here is a picture of the UMC emergency room.
Dr. Prince also assigned me several medical topics to research throughout my internship. During my downtime, I had the opportunity to sit down and explore these subjects in more depth. This independent research allowed me to expand my understanding of various medical conditions, treatments, and procedures beyond what I observed in the clinic. It also gave me a chance to connect what I was learning in real time with evidence-based information, helping me grow both academically and professionally.
This experience has already taught me so much, and it’s only the beginning. I’m so excited to keep learning and growing throughout this internship!
Thank you!!
Valentina Zago Carolei
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