At NSLC, we covered a vast array of medical topics including medical ethics and toxicology as well as leadership topics such as negotiation and the personality matrix.  These topics were introduced to us through presentations made possible by the medical speaker Dr. Richard Marfuggi and by the Leadership speaker Bill Johnson. During our surgical rounds, we had the opportunity to dissect a cow’s eye, dissect a sheep’s heart, explore the field of pathology, and suture a pig’s foot.  Moreover, we visited a medical training facility called SiTel in D.C. and we participated in stations of laparoscopic surgery, CPR, suturing and knot tying, intubation, and cardiology where we performed on mannequins and used medical equipment. Later in the week we watched the movie Contagion and discussed epidemics, ethics, and the dilemmas the film had presented to us.  My TA groups also created a public health project on AED’s and their availability in public buildings and we actually won! A highlight of the NSLC Medicine and Healthcare Forum was the “Life from the Heart” heart surgery screening. The screening was a recording of a heart surgery and from the use of a medical saw to the use of a heart-lung machine the surgery process was quite a shocker for me! I later learned after watching the heart bypass surgery that my grandfather had gone through the same kind of heart bypass surgery a few years ago and suddenly the curriculum at NSLC was relatable.  Although NSLC has provided me with a valuable medical experience at this age, I still think that I need to dig a little deeper to decide if medicine is right for me. Ten days was enough to give me a big picture of this career field, but I want to try other aspects of the field other than surgery, suturing and other medical procedures. One thing we hadn’t touched upon is medical research and that is one branch that I am considering and will eventually need to further investigate. Fortunately, I will have some time before college to delve even deeper.  I would definitely recommend this program to a friend seeking out the medical field. The academics are awesome and will leave the student awed and full of curiosity. A big part of this program was the leadership part and I think that participating in all the leadership sessions and activities really got me involved and they were even entertaining and fun! The intelligence of the students I met and worked with surprised me and my peers made the experience even more great. My friends and I even started calling NSLC “Nerd Camp”! The TA’s and staff were supportive and fantastic and helped the program run smoothly and efficiently, thus adding more value to our experience. In addition to the academics we went to the Smithsonian Museums and Capitol Hill, the Washington-at-Night Tour, historic Georgetown, and even a cruise! The guest speakers aspect was also provided as a part of the curriculum that was offered during our medical adventures. The fields were diverse from medical budgeting to being a chief medical examiner and kept our interests at all times.  Finally, living on the campus of American University was its own unique and interesting experience. This was my first time at a dorm in an actual college and everything about the university has given me an idea of a standard college experience.  I would advise other students attending this program in the future to be open right from the first day! It might be difficult at first as I observed from the other students around me, but the fact that it’s only ten days has to be considered! The last thing you want to do is regret that you didn’t engage as much. I would also advise that students should try not to be around the area if they really are into this program. My roommate was from D.C. and she didn’t find the tours as exciting as I did. The sessions and programs vary because of their locations and so there are different speakers with fields that you have never considered. I think students should embrace new fields that aren’t in their interests because they will never know what inspiration it may be for them.

Below is a picture of the Laparoscopic Surgery Station at SiTel (Simulation Training and Education Lab)

My first day was exhausting yet enjoyable and interactive. American University has multiple buildings that are utilized by the NSLC program in a single day. Traveling to and from these buildings to attend the many sessions and meetings was tiresome, especially after my journey to Washington D.C. Fortunately, however, the day ended with fun name games that helped us learn about and connect with other students in our individual TA groups. Right from the first day, the Medicine and Healthcare Program has me engaged. A surprising aspect of this program is that we have tight and strict schedules that we are instructed to follow each and every day. With sessions and activities specifically times back to back, we have to become accustomed to arriving about 10 minutes early because if we are on time, we are actually late. The only free time that we have throughout the day is during our meals because at every other moment, we are away on exciting trips to stimulation labs or to a Ropes Course. Often, it is difficult for me to recall the days that we have completed certain activities because we have so many life changing experiences in a day. Overall, I think that the experience was been great so far!

I am excited about participating in the National Student Leadership Conference on Medicine and Healthcare despite the challenge and stress. In addition to enjoying myself during such an experience, I want to relinquish my hesitation in sharing my thoughts and ideas by asking the medical professionals questions that pertain to their lifestyles. American University will be fascinating yet bizarre to me because I will be commuting in an actual college in a city that is not like NYC. However, I will still await the adventures that will be in store for me in Washington D.C. Interacting with other students for a limited time will surely be a challenge for me because I am more of an independent person which will clash with the amount of collaboration  required.  I could possibly try to overcome this by introducing myself quickly so I do not have to dreadfully wait until the final moments. The NSLC Medicine and Healthcare program will dramatically impact my future because it will not only help me determine whether or not I want to follow this road for a career, but also it will help me grasp precious leadership skills needed for life.

Thank you so much for your generous contribution! Participating in the National Student Leadership Conference Medicine and Health Care Program could not be possible for me without your support and aid. Your donation will help give me a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore and participate in clinical activities and medical research. I will be forever grateful for your donation as this program may potentially become a turning point in my life. Once again, your help and support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.