On my first day, Laura and I arrived at Walter Reed bright and early for her 7:15 patient.
I was surprised by the mix of people! There were civilians in business casual clothes, military men and women in their uniforms, and plenty of people running around in scrubs!
I got to sit in on Laura's appointments in her office, watching her evaluate and strength test patients and recommend physical therapy.
I got to shadow Laura and other PTs, like Barbara, in the PT Clinic and MATC (Military Advanced Training Center).
I loved the variety in the patients that I saw. Many of them had amazing stories to tell!
Laura was an incredible mentor/host to me. She let me stay with her and even let me carpool with her to work everyday!
My roomies were Laura, Laura's daughter, Jessie, and a very friendly cat named Tommy!
I spent my weekends sightseeing with them in D.C.
On, the first day, the hospital seemed like a maze to me! I started to learn my way around and spend time outside of physical therapy.
I got to to watch Dr. Giuliani perform a hip surgery,
I got to spend a couple of days in Neurology with Dr. Omoike,
I got to spend time in the pool with patients, learning pool therapy exercises,
I even got to spend a day with the recreational therapists, on an adaptive skiing trip with patients!
All of the staff were incredibly kind to me, and made me feel so welcomed. Watching their work has made me more sure that I want to pursue a medicine oriented career.
But it was interacting with patients who were injured while protecting my country that made me sure that I want a career where I can make a difference in the lives of others.
Bolo vytvorených viac ako 30 miliónov storyboardov