Northwestern Medicine Pre-Med Summer Internship: A Transformative Experience

Being an NM pre-med intern reinforced my aspiration to become a medical doctor. Before starting the program, I was uncertain about my qualifications for medical school, let alone the possibility of becoming a physician.

My name is Emmanuella Opoku, an international student from Ghana. I began my pre-med journey at UC in the fall of 2022. Due to high school credits, I was able to skip my first year and start as a sophomore. For two years, I balanced 18 credit hours of coursework each semester with research, volunteering, and career hours to graduate on time. The fear of the challenges associated with medical school admissions, particularly for international students, caused me significant anxiety.

A challenge I faced during my pre-med years was accumulating shadowing hours. I applied for the summer internship program to enhance my medical school application. I discovered the program online just days before the deadline and applied despite my uncertainty about acceptance. I was pleasantly surprised when I received a call informing me that I had been admitted. During orientation, I had the opportunity to meet the other interns. I felt overwhelmed by the impressive backgrounds and prestigious universities represented by many of the other participants. However, I knew that my selection meant I belonged.

One aspect I appreciated about the program was the similarity among the interns compared to the university classroom. We were all so alike yet so different. The diversity among the interns was remarkable, with each bringing unique experiences and perspectives. This inclusive environment made NM a truly exceptional place.

I was assigned to Dr. Kelsey Flood in the dermatology department in the central region.

While dermatology was not my first choice, I quickly developed a positive outlook. I began to appreciate the opportunity to observe the daily life of a physician and understand how they respond to various situations. This was particularly helpful as I struggled with the unfamiliar terminology presented in cases.

I focused on Dr. Flood's interactions with patients and her team, observing how she handled different cases and managed her team. I also built relationships with residents, medical students, and nurses, seeking to contribute without disrupting the workflow. Recognizing my enthusiasm and willingness to work, Dr. Flood often engaged me in cases by asking questions or assigning me to take patient histories, which helped me improve my communication skills. She provided constructive feedback and encouragement, inspiring me to adopt her positive qualities and become a better doctor.

The dermatology department served as my outpatient clinic base, where I encountered both returning and new patients. Shadowing the doctor throughout the day allowed me to observe case management without legal responsibilities.

My first rotation was in the oncology department. In the morning, I accompanied Dr. Boyd, an inpatient physician, on rounds with residents and nurses to check on patients and provide treatment updates. In the afternoon, I shadowed Dr. Flaum, an outpatient breast cancer physician. These rotations offered opportunities to ask questions and observe patient-doctor interactions.

In my second rotation, I shadowed in the center for complex gynecology. I worked with Dr. Kurtzer, an OB/GYN specialist focusing on women's health and trauma patients. This experience was particularly meaningful to me due to my passion for advocating for further education in underserved areas.

Between my rotations, I reached out to a neurologist to shadow her, as I had not been able to choose neurology as a rotation. Shadowing Dr. Carolle opened my eyes to the world of neurology, confirming my initial interest in the field. I observed the significant differences in her schedule compared to other doctors and the complexity of neurology. One key takeaway was the extensive time she spent with patients to accurately diagnose their conditions. She often spent an hour or more conducting reflex tests and evaluating motor and sensory functions to ensure no neurological disorders were overlooked.

Curious to compare this to other neurologists, I shadowed Dr. Alan Shepard, another general neurologist. With all the doctors I shadowed, I asked about their work-life balance. Dr. Alan was one of the most impressive, having traveled extensively, built a family, and formed many relationships. He was well-known at the hospital and knowledgeable about other physicians. His experience with numerous migraine cases allowed me to observe patterns and causes, learning about the progress patients had made. I admired his genuine interest in my journey and his ability to engage in small talk, which is a valuable trait for a physician.

After receiving responses from two remarkable doctors, I set a goal to shadow as many different doctors as possible. I emailed radiologists, hematologists, cardiologists, gynecologists, pediatricians, surgeons, and many more. A few responded, which was sufficient for my experience.

In my fourth week, I shadowed a radiologist, Dr. Nancy Hammond. It was an interesting experience, as radiologists are often described as introverted geniuses. They spend most of their time analyzing medical images in a dark room with other radiologists. With limited patient interaction, they must be knowledgeable about various medical fields to interpret scans. Dr. Hammond specializes in the fluoroscopy department, using fluorescent liquid to test organ function. I witnessed esophagrams and cystograms. I found the profession to be relatively peaceful with minimal chaos.

During this time, I still spent most of my time in my home department, dermatology. I actively sought out opportunities to learn more and participate in various procedures. This allowed me to observe total body skin exams, acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis (eczema), psoriasis, melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, vitiligo, urticaria (hives), lichen planus, alopecia areata, contact dermatitis, impetigo, tinea (ringworm), and more.

I also assisted with patient care by taking medical histories and performing wound care. This experience helped me develop my patient communication skills while ensuring I avoided any legal missteps.

After the initial flurry of responses to my emails, I streamlined my schedule for the remaining four weeks.

I shadowed Dr. Adekola Kehinde, a hematologist and oncologist, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Dr. Kehinde leads morning rounds with a multidisciplinary team, updating and managing patients, including those undergoing stem cell transplants for cancers like leukemia. She demonstrates exceptional communication skills, offering clear explanations of treatment plans and addressing patient concerns with empathy. In one moving case, she supported a mother facing a difficult decision about her terminally ill son's care, focusing on his wishes. Dr. Kehinde also provides long-term outpatient care, adjusting treatments as needed. This demanding specialty requires fellowship and involves complex cases, fostering enduring patient relationships. Notably, Dr. Kehinde works seven days a week, and it was incredibly inspiring to shadow a woman of color who pursued knowledge and expertise across borders.

Over a two-week period, I witnessed two surgeries: a kidney transplant and a brain tumor removal.

Kidney Transplant: Performed by Dr. Satish N. Nadig, a brilliant MD-PhD surgeon, the surgery involved a robotic-assisted left kidney nephrectomy from a daughter for her father. The procedure, performed under anesthesia, utilized a robot for precise kidney removal. The physician expertly navigated behind the large intestine to access the kidney and vessels for harvesting. After positioning adjustments, the kidney was successfully retrieved. The recipient then underwent an awake open kidney transplant, where the new kidney was placed in the lower abdomen and immediately began functioning. This was a pioneering awake transplant, and I was fortunate to observe it firsthand. Long-term immunosuppressants will likely be necessary for the recipient.

You can read about it here.

Brain Tumor Removal: Performed by Dr. James Chandler, a neurosurgeon, this surgery involved the removal of a left rectosigmoid schwannoma, a brain tumor located near cranial nerves. After accessing the tumor through the scalp and muscles, the spinal cord and cerebellum were visible alongside the pulsating brain. The tumor caused dysfunction in cranial nerve 5, and nerves 7 and 8 were unfortunately compromised during removal due to their pre-existing non-functionality. The resulting space will be filled with cerebrospinal fluid. The skull was then reassembled, muscles and tissues were sutured, and the skin was closed with staples. Three neurosurgeons collaborated on the procedure, with valuable support from residents. The extensive surgery required a long anesthesia period, and the operating room included a research technician who provided informative explanations throughout the process.

In my sixth week, I shadowed Dr. Sameena, a gynecologist. Dr. Sameena operates a private clinic affiliated with Northwestern Medicine. This experience provided valuable insights into the functioning of a private clinic and the entrepreneurial aspects of practicing medicine. While owning a private clinic offers the flexibility of setting your own schedule, it also comes with legal responsibilities related to insurance and patient liabilities. Dr. Sameena works with medical assistants, nurse practitioners, and medical students to ensure the clinic's success. This experience was particularly valuable as I am interested in potentially owning my own clinic in the future.

Week seven was one of the most memorable weeks of the program for me. My growing interest in women's health and obstetrics/gynecology led me to shadow an obstetrician and anesthesiologist in the operating room. I was incredibly excited to witness the birth process firsthand. The day began with a lecture on anesthesia, followed by a C-section of twin girls at 10 a.m. The procedure was swift and intense, with the muscle tearing audibly as the babies were delivered via epidural anesthesia. Both babies were healthy, weighing 6 lbs. 10 oz and 6 lbs. 4 oz.

Later, I saw an inversion procedure that was performed to manually turn a

baby in the womb, also under epidural. The parents were understandably

emotional, but the procedure was safe and quick. Other observations included

a vaginal birth with a vacuum and a woman delivering her ninth child, which

involved a more challenging birth process due to the baby's position and

significant blood loss. Despite the epidural, the mother still felt pressure during

the birth. I was most fascinated by these and have this as one of my options for

my future career. Although I am unsure if I am interested because I am woman.

One of my last shadowing opportunities was in another private gynecology clinic affiliated with Northwestern Medicine. This experience provided valuable insights and introduced me to several specialized gynecologists. I also encountered a DO doctor, who explained the differences between DO and MD degrees. While DO degrees offer a more general and holistic approach to patient care, both MD and DO physicians are qualified to practice medicine. My final shadowing experience was with Dr. Amy Halverson, a colorectal surgeon, who performed a robotic total abdominal colectomy, skillfully removing a patient's colon.

During my final week of the program, I had the opportunity to visit the Feinberg School of Medicine and connect with my mentor medical student, Rya Muller. We toured the campus and discussed the typical day in the life of a medical student. I was inspired by the resources available and realized that it is possible to maintain a healthy work-life balance while pursuing medical education. The Feinberg School of Medicine also accepts international students, which provided me with an opportunity to connect with admissions officers and learn about their application process. I was reassured to hear that the admissions process is holistic and non-discriminatory, increasing my confidence in my own potential to become a medical physician.

We then presented our final research project, which we had been

working on for eight weeks. The day included a visit to the

simulation lab, where we learned about surgical techniques and

the importance of CPR. My presentation focused on assessing

ChatGPT-generated answers related to alopecia, and I attached

the results to this article. I was guided by my preceptor and a

researcher in my department throughout this project.

During my time in Chicago, I had the opportunity to explore

numerous places and fully embrace the tourist experience. I made

many lasting friendships and had wonderful roommates. Living in

University Center, an apartment complex for interns from across

the United States, I was able to network with individuals from

diverse backgrounds.

I am thankful for this experience as it has significantly boosted

my confidence and instilled in me a belief in my ability to achieve

any goal I set. My preceptor, Dr. Kelsey Flood, played a pivotal role in my personal and professional growth, helping me develop essential skills. I believe it was a perfect match.

I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and thank God for His favor in selecting me. My time here has boosted my self-confidence and provided me with a clearer vision for my future. I am proud to call myself a former NM summer pre-med intern.