Personal Narrative: Cardiology Internship

I walked into OHSU trembling with fear and clutching onto of my parents’ hands unwilling to let go. It felt like I was walking into the unknown, but in reality, I was walking into the cardiac surgery department for an open heart surgery. I was only four years old. I didn’t even know what a surgery meant! Although my parents and doctor tried to explain the surgery to me, I didn’t understand any of it. All I knew was I will be put to sleep and separated from my parents for hours. This fact alone was already enough to scare me. I started crying when I was separated from my parents. I cried harder as the distance between me and their worried faces increased. I still remember being pushed into an uncomfortably bright room with a strong scent of antiseptic soap. I still remember the rough patient gown brushing against my skin, and most importantly, I still remember hearing the anesthesiologist’s comforting words, “It’s okay, your parents are right outside.” Even after the surgery, the doctors and nurses continued to provide endless care for me and my worried family. …show more content…
I became eager to learn more about cardiology, so I applied for an internship position in Dr. David J. Sahn’s cardiac research laboratory at OHSU. Through this internship, I learned how to build heart models of different cardiovascular diseases. I was intrigued when I modeled the disease I had when I was four. With the help of models and imaging technologies, I learned more about the disease. Compared to any summer, that summer I spent at OHSU was truly memorable. Research was not the only aspect I love in the laboratory. I also love the people in it. Everyone, from my mentors to my colleagues, treated each other like family and we worked well as a team. Not only did I learn more about cardiology, but I also experienced the innovative nature of research and understood the importance of