Week One: The Beginning

This past week, I feel as though I have been quickly immersed into the routine of busy hospital life.  My first week has consisted primarily of meeting and shadowing a few different clinicians, each of whom work in a wholly different field. Despite the initial effort in simultaneously starting up in the hospital and acclimating to the routines of city life, I have already found the work to be very engaging.

Over the course of the week, I have shadowed a medical oncologist (my primary mentor for my stay here, Dr. Vahdat), as well as a radiation oncologist, and a reconstructive surgeon.  In my experience so far with each of them, I have been impressed by the expansive load of unique patient cases that they must manage all at once.

Interacting with patients has been the most impactful element of this experience on me so far. Working with oncologists, it is difficult to see how many patients are so clearly worried for their health.  On the other hand, it is also very encouraging to see how relieved many patients are when they learn that their illness is much more manageable than they had expected.

All in all, I am excited to continue working in the hospital for the summer and learning more about the many modes of cancer treatment that we can use to improve the lives of these patients. 

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