Personal Narrative: My Experience With The Healthcare Field

Following residency, I hope to practice medicine in a disadvantaged or medically underserved urban community limited in terms of affordability, accessibility, and availability of healthcare options. In such a community, I will be able to utilize my medical education for the purpose of addressing the health concerns and disparities affecting those in society who are often ignored and suffer in health as a result. I believe healthcare providers have a responsibility of placing a special emphasis on caring for communities in desperate need of reliable healthcare and advocating for the resolution of health disparities plaguing our current healthcare system. Thus, by practicing in a disadvantaged community, I will have the opportunity to potentially change the course of health for a

I’m interested in people and what makes us the way we are. Medicine for me is the sole profession that permits the concurrent aiding of people and the pushing of mental limits at the same time. It is the one profession that tests human compassion, endurance, and memory, three essentialities of life. As a student in Dr. Sweets’ “Social determinants of health” class, I’m fascinated by the environmental factors that influence an individual’s health. I’m even more appalled to learn about the health disparities that currently exist in the United States as a result of socioeconomic status. As an immigrant from a developing African country, I was exposed to the effects of poor health care systems from a juvenile age and it never occurred to me that there are populations within developed countries that also suffer from predicaments similar to that of my Nation. As a clinician, I look forward to tackling these issues concerning health disparities affecting underserved populations in the United States as well as other countries with limited

My first week went really well! I was definately both nervous and excited on the first day. I was nervous because I wasn't sure how the clinic would run and I quickly learned that it is a very fast paced clinic. My CI sees patients every 15 minutes and he is both the only PT there and the owner of the clinic. I have been learning a lot about PT treatments as well as the buisness side of the PT clinic. He has a lot of PT aides that help with exercises and setting patients up with ice and stim ect. The fast paced clinic was definately something I had to get used to. I was a little overwhelmed when we would just start with a patient and a new patient would walk in the door. However, there is a very good flow in the clinic and everyone is always

I sat at the kitchen counter, staring at the green cabinets and bowls of fruit. I wanted to play in tonight’s soccer game, but my mind was still foggy from the drugs I received in the hospital the day before. I didn’t want my teammates to see me like this. My hair was matted from where my head rubbed against the blue hospital pillow, and a wrinkled piece of clear tape secured a nasal feeding tube onto my cheek. I hated what the tube meant: that I was inadequate and that I couldn’t drink by myself. I was someone who insisted on doing everything on my own, and the thin, flexible tube was a physical reminder that I could not. My mom and dad lauded my bravery, but I dismissed them. I didn’t believe bravery was dictated by necessity.

People of ethnic minorities and those who are economically disadvantaged often have trouble finding medical help that is affordable for their families. For many years I have wanted to work with underrepresented and disadvantaged populations. Although I may not be a traditional ethnic minority, I do have a very good understand of the struggles that come from being poor, and how hard it can be to pay even simple medical bills. I understand that there is an epidemic of health disparities in America, and I want to help end it. The reasons I want to work with underrepresented and disadvantaged populations is because of personal experiences, because I want to help end health disparities in America, and because helping minorities is very rewarding

The phone was ringing as I stepped into my house. My mother picked up the phone without realizing she would shortly be sent to her knees. She yelled for me to get into the car and we rushed into the hospital. As hectic as the situation felt, time seemed to pass by very slow in that car. We finally arrived to the hospital to find my father nervously talking to the doctor. I learned that my brother had been brutally beaten up by a couple of teenagers on his way home from school and, as a result, had lost most of his teeth.

Squeaking shoes, running fast, comfy scrubs that make it easy to move fast, shiny stethoscopes that help nurses hear patient's hearts beat. These are some of the things that nurses do everyday at work. Along with helping patients there are many tasks that nurses do every day in a variety of locations that not only take a toll on them physically but mentally as well.

Three years ago my grandpa got very sick, and was admitted into Hospice. Every day I watched as CNA’s and nurses took care of him, helping our family. The support of those caregivers made me want to be a CNA for the summer, and possibly pursue a career in the medical field. Helping people has always been a passion of mine. The happiness I feel by helping others, is what I strive for. Compassion and kindness are two of my most valued traits. I would not be the person I am today without them.

The sharp scent of chlorine fills my nostrils as I crane over the microadjuster, determining whether my Platinum/Iridium wire tip is done reacting. Waving away the fumes, I observe the bubbles fizzling out, turn the voltage off, and twist the tip out of the machine. At 163 nanometers wide, it’s the sharpest tip I’ve etched this summer.

The questions and solutions are often convoluted. Vertical programs to treat one disease work, but do not always address the larger problems such as lack of nutrition and sanitation causing maternal mortality rates to remain high despite interventions. As a physician, I hope to focus on constructing horizontal programs to build a stronger public health infrastructure and to strengthen the ability to practice preventive health in underserved communities or nations. There is an ethical responsibility to help others in need, regardless of their background or location. However, it is also vital that healthcare professionals have cultural competence in that they understand different cultural conventions that may contribute to health and how to be respectful of such conventions. Cultural competence also includes maintaining the ability to understand any preconceived biases that may exist towards healthcare in a certain culture, in addition to preventing any biases within themselves as a healthcare

Other responsibilities included scheduling, verifying insurance, cash management, collecting copayments, registering patients, and scanning clinic records. New Patient Services Representatives (PSR) were trained, medical records were reorganized, and streamline processes improved patient flow. Work also entailed creating a wait list protocol and working with Rehab therapists to coordinate and handle scheduling issues, that may arise.

head had crowned and the doctor looked down at me and asked me a shocking question. “Kodi,

Though I have another year and a half before I complete my schooling, it is always important to find out as much information about my future field of work. Knowing what is to be expected when going in for a job interview will not only be a bonus for myself, but allow me to feel confident when giving answers.

Everyone’s passion is different, whether it’d be drawing, cooking, fashion, etc. Mine so happens to be learning about health. Choosing this as my passion was easy because learning how the body works and how it reacts to different viruses and diseases or medicine is fascinating. I also enjoy helping others and putting their needs before mine. This passion takes me into building a career out of it by going into the medical field and becoming an RN. Knowing that becoming an RN won’t be easy won’t change my mind for my career but it will only want me to work harder and not stop trying. The best way to be prepared for the future is planning everything out which is something I will try to do.