Written by: Angela Sadlowski
Introduction
During Summer 2024, and for 18 months prior, I have had the incredible opportunity to volunteer at the Esperanza Clinic, a free clinic for undocumented immigrants who are a particularly medically vulnerable population in Baltimore. As an volunteer, I immersed myself in various projects and responsibilities that not only challenged me but also significantly contributed to my professional and personal growth.
Key Experiences
During my internship, I worked on several key projects that honed my skills and expanded my knowledge. One of the most significant projects involved enhancing patient engagement and satisfaction. This project was particularly challenging due to the diverse needs of our patients, but it was also immensely rewarding. I collaborated closely with a talented team of medical assistants and other volunteers to achieve a 92% positive feedback rate, which was a proud moment for us all.
Another memorable experience was shadowing doctors and nurses for over 30 hours throughout the practicum. This hands-on experience provided invaluable insights into patient care and the complexities of healthcare delivery. Despite the challenges of coordinating shadowing hours with busy medical professionals, I gained a deep appreciation for the dedication and expertise required in the medical field. I was especially interested in these physician’s pathway, as I want to serve communities as a physician and was curious how they balance this with their other clinical sites. I also am interested in what motivated them to serve undocumented immigrant communities, and in general why they chose medicine.
Skills and Knowledge Gained
Throughout my practicum, I developed a range of skills that I believe will be invaluable in my future endeavors. Technically, I enhanced my proficiency in scheduling appointments on EPIC, achieving a rate of six appointments per hour. I also learned to efficiently record patient histories within 5-8 minutes per patient, thanks to guidance from a medical assistant.
In addition to technical skills, I also honed my soft skills. Effective communication and teamwork were crucial in collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders. I learned the importance of empathy and active listening, especially when navigating tight deadlines and complex problems. Narrative medicine’s importance was also emphasized to me, as I saw daily how intertwined socioeconomic factors are with health outcomes. Thus, we had to efficiently get to know patients’ preferences to honor their resilience and also figure how to best serve their needs. A simple example of this is when I am scheduling appointments, I proactively will ask them if there are commitments we should schedule around, as I know lost wages and child care are potential obstacles to healthcare.
Impact of OKRs
Setting and working towards OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) was a transformative aspect of my internship. Having clear objectives kept me focused and motivated, while the key results provided measurable targets to strive for. One particularly impactful OKR was enhancing patient engagement and satisfaction. Achieving a 92% positive feedback rate required consistent effort and innovative communication techniques, which significantly influenced my overall internship experience. I also wanted to shadow to not only understand clinic workflow better, but to also gain more insight into potential career paths. Thus, I shadowed 30 hours, which I think having this goal set helped me stay accountable.
The process of setting OKRs also taught me the value of goal-setting and strategic planning. It instilled a sense of accountability and encouraged continuous improvement, which significantly influenced my overall internship experience.
Lessons Learned
My practicum at Esperanza Clinic was a profound learning experience, offering insights into professional growth, workplace dynamics, and personal development. One major lesson I learned was the importance of adaptability in a fast-paced environment. This experience highlighted that being open to change and quickly adjusting to new situations is crucial in any professional setting.
I also gained a deeper understanding of the significance of effective communication. Working with a diverse team taught me how to navigate different perspectives and foster a collaborative atmosphere, which is essential for achieving common goals.
Future Applications
The skills and knowledge I acquired during my internship will undoubtedly shape my future career and academic pursuits. I plan to apply my technical expertise in patient management in my future medical career. This experience has also reinforced my interest in pursuing a career in medicine, and I am more determined than ever to follow this path. It also deepened my understanding of inequities, which I hope will make me a more accessible and empathetic physician.
In conclusion, my internship at Esperanza Clinic was a remarkable journey of growth and learning. The experiences, challenges, and achievements have equipped me with valuable insights and skills that I will carry forward into my future endeavors. These achievements have prepared me well for medical school and my future role as a physician, emphasizing the importance of continual learning and adapting to improve patient care and community-based learning, which I am now looking forward to in medical school.
