As an enthused pre-medical student, I was ecstatic to observe and talk with a myriad of specialized surgeons and physicians that worked in my local hospital. As part of the capstone project for the middle college, I reflected upon each day of shadowing in a journal and reflected upon the experience overall at the end. I can compare what I had learned at the time to what I think of the experience now after working with patients for over a year. In addition to illustrating teamwork, leadership, and excellent communication skills at the time, I learned about the physicians’ lifestyles of working in the hospital and many of the challenges that are associated with these professions. I was enthused to overcome these barriers and become my role model anesthesiologist, who treated me many years before.
