Blog #8: What I've Learned So Far

1) What have you learned how to do since you started working on your senior project?


Something that I've learned how to do working on my senior project is how to go in for interviews for volunteer positions. This may sound silly, but when I was a junior my mom pushed me to fill out an application for the City of Hope Teen Volunteer Program that was only open once a year. I told her I would do it but I never got around to it because I was afraid of being rejected when I had to interview in person. I kick myself in the butt so much now because that opportunity would have been amazing but I missed it. 


However, doing my senior project I feel like I was pushed to go into the ocean to learn how to swim. I didn't really have a choice and was desperate to start service learning somewhere so I called every hospital within a 30 mile vicinity to see if their volunteer apps were available yet. Huntington Hospital in Pasadena was the first to call me back and I didn't realize it was a phone interview until half way through. Lets just say after I told her the reason I wanted to volunteer there specifically was because every other hospital wasn't taking volunteers...she decided on another route. I got rejection after rejection because of deadlines, I couldn't make the shift hours, and other reasons. 


San Dimas Hospital was my last hope. If they didn't accept me I was going to finish up my hours at my pediatricians office and call it a day. By the time I interviewed with the coordinator, I tried to use my previous interview errors as a guide for what not to say and maintain a happy attitude even though inside I thought to myself if I got one more rejection I'd die. In the end I ended up getting the position to work on the actual hospital floor and I now go every Thursday and Friday!



2) This is my uniform and badge that opens doors when I scan it B)

3) What research helped you to do this and how?*


Most of the research I did didn't really come from books or anything. Ms. Melogno was the one who told me during the beginning of the year to just go ahead and do whatever you have to do because in the end, the worst answer you'll get is a no. Still though, I was trying to push off doing it because I hate rejection! It's like another form of failure! Then I went to volunteer at Glendora Pediatrics and my mentor there, Dr. Mafoud*, told me that as a Doctor, you cannot be afraid of anything because it will deter you from accomplishing your goal. He talked about how as a prospective resident, getting an interview was like a gift from God and worrying about being rejected wasn't even on his mind because at least he had an opportunity to do his best. This gave me confidence and pushed me to do the interviews. And now I have a badge :D


So again, my sources were Ms. Melogno and my mentor, Dr. Mafoud.


*A little clarification in case your wondering, Dr. Mafoud was my own Pediatrician so asking if I could volunteer at his practice wasn't really a challenge. I mean volunteering at hospitals specifically because it is really hard and competitive now a days to get into certain places!

Blog #7: Independent Component 1 Plan Approval

1) For my first independent component, I will be volunteering at the San Dimas Community Hospital under Kathlyn Rivera, my supervisor. I did my first shift last Friday and so far my duties have been to ask patients if they need anything, go into rooms and pass out magazines, and assist nurses with patient charts. My goal though is to start shadowing physicians at the hospital which I am working on. 

2) My plan is to work four hour shifts once a week every Friday. I'm also doing service learning with Dr. Mafoud in Glendora where I shadow 2-3 hours a week. If I am not able to go on Fridays, I plan on doubling my time with Dr. Mafoud. 

3) My eq is "what is the best way to become a successful pediatrician." I feel the best way to find my answer will be to watch physicians in their element first hand. That's why I chose to volunteer at a hospital. I can watch how they interact with their patients and as a volunteer, I can use the same methods as well. I'm shadowing a pediatrician specifically in a private practice clinic to get more specific to my eq. 

Blog #6: Defining the Essential Question

1) What is your EQ?


My eq is "What is the best way to become a successful pediatrician?"

2) Define the words in your EQ to make sure we are on the same page regarding what your EQ means.


The definition of successful in my eq means someone who has mastered the art of medicine through prevention and therapeutic ideals. What it means to master through prevention is to educate people on how to live a healthy lifestyle so they do not need therapeutics. I took Samuel Hahnemanns definition of ideal therapeutics as the highest ideal of therapy which is the rapid, gentle, pleasant, complete, and permanent restoration of health in the surest, simplest and least harmful way. If both are achieved, you have met the standards of a successful pediatrician. 


3) What are some possible answers to your EQ so far? 


a)Do not become complacent with your knowledge but instead try to consistently learn new things.


b)Do not allow yourself to be spoon-fed throughout medical school and afterwards. True knowledge is sought outside the classroom.


c)Know your strengths and weaknesses to determine if medicine(specifically dealing with children) is right for you.

4) What has been your most important source and why?  Be specific.  If it is a person, name them and what they do, if it is an article, book or video, name the title and author.  


I have had two equally important sources. My first is my service learning mentor, Dr. Amjad Mafoud who is a pediatrician at the Glendora medical office. The other is an article by Andre Saine titled, "If its worth doing, its worth doing well."

Blog #5: Second Interview Questions

I will be interviewing one of my service learning persons, pediatrician Dr. Amjad Mafoud who has been my pediatrician for over ten years. He opened his private practice at a very young age for a doctor and has treated me since I can remember so I feel he is highly experienced and qualified as a physician.

1)Where did you go to college/medical school and how many years was it total?

2)What did you major in? What do you recommend I major in?

3)When you were my age, did you volunteer in hospitals or shadow physicians? What did you do as extracurricular activities? 

4)What made you realize you wanted to be a pediatrician?

5)Where did you start working after medical school?

6)When did you open up your own private practice? What age were you?

7)What is a typical day in the office like as a doctor?

8)Did you go into medicine with any expectations like high salary or good hours?