As the summer draws to a close and the school year looms on the horizon, I find myself reflecting on the whirlwind of experiences that made this summer one to remember. Being in 11th grade, I knew that this summer would be crucial—both for my academic journey and for personal growth. And boy, was it busy!
A Quick Trip to London: A Much-Needed Break
After weeks of intense clinical work, I took a short trip to London to unwind with the family. It was exactly what I needed to recharge for the upcoming school year. London is a city that didn’t fail to impress, and even though it was a short visit, I made the most of it. From the historic landmarks like the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace, every moment was filled with excitement.
This wraps up my summer activities. I had an opportunity to be part of a “Scrubs and Scopes” camp at a local Children’s hospital. During my camp experience, I got to dive into various healthcare roles, each one offering a unique perspective on the medical field.
GI CNA: I spent time working as a GI CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), where I had the task of checking in on and rooming 67 patients a day. Cleaning was a huge part of the job, and I used a lot of sanitary wipes—around 20 per room—so I had to move fast. There was one chaotic moment when I ran out of wipes and had to call Central Services because I couldn’t find any in the storage rooms. One memorable interaction was with a toddler who didn’t want to leave their mom’s arms for a weigh-in. We figured out a creative solution by weighing both mom and child together and then just the mom to subtract the difference. I even had to check in some patients via Zoom, which was a new experience for me.
I had the incredible opportunity to attend Stanford’s Clinical Summer Internship program, where I explored a wide range of topics in the medical field. From learning how to suture to understanding the anatomy of the heart, and even spending a day in the life of an orthopedic surgeon, the experience was both challenging and rewarding.
I gained insight into what it means to be a physician-scientist. One of the key skills I developed was how to take detailed notes on patient cases and present them to a group of medical professionals, which was an invaluable experience in understanding the critical thinking required in the field.
During my time at a local Children’s Hospital Nurses Camp this summer, I had the unique opportunity to step into the world of pediatric nursing. About 4 immersive days, I shadowed experienced nurses across various hospital units, from the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CICU) to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and surgical wards. This experience not only exposed me to the complexities of patient care but also provided invaluable insights into the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals. However, the camp ended abruptly on the fifth day due to a worldwide cyberattack that disrupted hospital systems, a stark reminder of the crucial role technology plays in healthcare. My journey through the camp was both educational and inspiring, offering a glimpse into the compassionate and demanding world of nursing.
It’s been a whirlwind of a school year, and I can’t believe I’ve finally wrapped up my AP exams and finals. After all that intense studying, it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. But the excitement doesn’t stop there – I’ve also resumed my volunteer work at Evergreen, and I’ve been gaining some amazing new experiences.
Volunteering at Evergreen has always been a highlight for me, but this time it’s been extra special. I’ve had the opportunity to escort wheelchair patients, and it’s been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. At first, I was a bit nervous. I wanted to make sure I was doing everything right and making the patients feel comfortable and safe.
I’m a 10th grader who’s been really involved in our school’s activities. This year, I served on the inclusion and advisory committee for our school district. It was such a great experience working with others to make our school a better place for everyone. I also decided to take a big step and run for class officer and ASP treasurer. Spoiler alert: I didn’t win either election.
I can’t believe I’m writing this, but guess what? I finally got my driver’s license! 🎉🚗
Today was a mix of nerves and excitement. After months of studying the manual, practicing with my parents, and stressing over every little detail, the big day finally arrived. I passed the written test a while ago, which was a huge relief, but today was the real deal: the driving test.
This month, I’m taking a break from medical-related topics to share my experiences as a passionate debate judge for middle schoolers. As a middle schooler, I was an active participant in my school’s Debate club and won the championship award as the undefeated team in the Pacific Northwest Middle School Debate Tournament. I have also been recognized as by Speech & Debate teacher as follows-
My volunteering gig at Evergreen Health Medical Center has been quite the journey! Before I even stepped foot onto the hospital floor, I had to go through a bunch of trainings. Like, a bunch. They were pretty important though. First up was learning how to handle a wheelchair. I thought I knew how to push one but turns out there’s a proper technique. Who knew?
As 2024 rolled in, I felt a surge of excitement and nerves swirling inside me. I turned 16! Finally reaching this milestone opened up a world of opportunities, not just in terms of driving or hanging out with friends, but also in pursuing my dreams of making a difference in the community.
Applying to the Evergreen Hospital’s volunteer program was a step into the unknown for me, a mix of excitement and nervousness. After submitting my application, I eagerly waited for a response, hoping for the opportunity to make a difference in my community. When the email finally came inviting me for an interview, my heart raced with anticipation. I arrived 20 minutes early on the interview day and waited at the front desk area on blue floor for the volunteer manager to escort me. This was my first interview ever! Walking into that room for the one-hour interview gave me the desire to prove myself worthy of this chance.
