Blog 27: Self Reflection

(1) Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your 2-Hour Presentation and/or your senior project? Why?

I am proud of my stage presence because I usually get really nervous and my voice gets shaky and I forget to breathe. But I stayed surprisingly calm during my two hour and was able to clearly express my thoughts to the audience.

(2) Questions to Consider

a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your 2-Hour Presentation (self-assessment)? Why?

AE            


I feel I exceeded the P rubric with the room decorations, amount of work put into the activity, and the connection to my EQ.

b.     What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project (self-assessment)? Why?

AE             


I believe I went above what was necessary for every aspect of senior project to get a better understanding on my project topic and my EQ answers. I did well in science fair, isearch, exit,  my research, and service learning and independent component.

(3) What worked for you in your senior project?


What worked for me was my interviews and service learning because it led me to my answers which gave me a solid 2 hour presentation. I gained so much from my service learning and without it, I dont think I would have been as proficient as I am now.

(4) What didn’t work for you in your senior project?


What didn't work for me was my research like I mentioned in my 2 hour. This is because it was so broad for the longest time and it prolonged me finding valuable sources to answer my EQ.

(5) Finding Value

How has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors?   Be specific and use examples. 


I now know what I want to minor in and possibly change my major to which is satistics and I have a much better view on what takes to go into the field of medicine and be successful at it.

Blog 26: 2-Hour Presentation Lesson Plan

Click here for two hour presentation lesson plan

Blog 25: Service Learning

Literal

Log of specific hours: here

Dr. Amjad Mafoud

Dr. Janet Fermin

626-335-0211

San Dimas Hospital 

Kathleen Rivera

Volunteer Coordinator

909-599-6811 

Interpretive

What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?

The most important thing I gained from this experience was knowing what I will be doing once I am a doctor. I had such cliche ideas of what life was like in a lab coat and I thought I'd be like Dr. House or...someone from Greys Anatomy. Shadowing gave me a more realistic perspective of what it is like. For example I never thought of dealing with parents as a pediatrician or being on call even though I dont work in a hospital. So service learning has prepared me much better for my future career.

Applied

How did what you did help you answer your EQ?  Please explain.

The best thing I gained from service learning was my first answer to my EQ. I woudn't have known about preventative medicine if I didn't see it live every time I watched the pediatricians during patient visits. I was able to go talk to them every week to help strengthen my answer and get sources from their old medical journals to read. My interviews were also with my service learning mentors and if I didn't shadow them I'd probably not have interviewed them.

Blog 24: Independent Component

Log: Click here.

Evidence: 

Precalculus book and Saylor homework

Literal

(a)“I, Terrin Liwag, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.” 

(b) I have completed 30 hours of work by in the Maternity Department at San Dimas Community Hospital. I get to answer phones, the patient call, and greet people at the door. I'm also pretty good at fixing patient charts for the nurses, making copies (even double-sided (;) and running specimens to the lab. While shadowing at Glendora Pediatrics, I usually get in at two in the afternoon every other week and go in the rooms with the pediatrician. I watch how he or she treats each patient and write down observations. I have the opportunity to ask questions and do informal interviews when there are no patients present. When both doctors are busy, I file charts. I leave around five. 

I've also just started a new project for my independent component that will replace the 30 hours I've already done and this has been approved by Melogno. I will be doing open course work by a website called Saylor.org for precalculus in order to prepare for the placement exam. This is part of independent component because if I get into calculus, Im three units further to getting into medical school.

Interpretive

For my independent component, I've learned what it is like to work in a medical environment by exposing myself through volunteer work. I've demonstrated thirty hours of work by continuously going to both clinics two to three times a week. The significance of my work would be what I've learned to do at the hospital and what I have learned through watching the two pediatricians. Whist shadowing, I've familiarized myself with the usual procedure that is conducted when I child is sick e.g. asking about medical history, checking the ears, nose, throat, heart rate, etc.

Through the self study component, I've learned what it is like to time manage because nothing is really due until I make it due. There is so much more freedom which I've heard is similar to the way college is set up where professors don't care if you do the homework, as long as you pass the final. 

Applied

I feel this component has helped me answer my EQ because I get to actually see what it is like working as a pediatrician since I shadow two. When I'm over at San Dimas, I get the opportunity to work in the nurses station so not only do I get the physician experience, but the nurse experience as well. One of my answers is to use preventative medicine and I was able to obtain that answer through my independent component.

Blog 23: Helping 2013

Who did you interview: Zhailah Graza

What day and time: 4/20/12 11:30AM

(1) What ideas do you have for your senior project and why?

Zhailah's Answer: Pediatrics (Same topic, didn't even know when I chose her!)

My advice: If you know you are going to go into some sort of career in the medical field, choosing any kind of specialty whether it be pediatrics or cardiology is a great choice for a senior project. When I first chose pediatrics, I regretted it a little bit because I felt it was too specific. I wanted to change it to medical school or family practitioners. But over time I realized pediatrics was a great field because there is so much to learn besides how to become pediatrician or the job responsibilities that are required. My EQ is "what is the best way to become a successful pediatrician" so not only do I get to find out how to become a successful physician, but also one who has special traits that possibly no other specialty doctor has. So good choice!

(2) What do you plan to do to complete the 10 hours of service learning (working with an expert) which is due prior to senior year starting?  Note: They also have to complete the 50 hours during the school year?

Zhailah's answer: Possibly work in a hospital.

My advice: Basically if you choose pediatrics you will be required to work in a hospital or some sort of medical office and there isn't really any way to get around it. The GREAT thing about choosing a med topic is your independent component (60 hours total) and service learning (60 hours) can be completed at one place whereas other topics have to do be done in separate places. Apply to any and every hospital as soon as possible! Getting a volunteer position in large hospitals is very competitive because all seniors are trying to boost up their resumes for college. Most hospitals like huntington memorial or foothill require an application and an interview so be prepared. The only hospital I know that doesn't do that is San Dimas Community Hospital which is where I work. It is a great place to work because their hours commitment is only 40 whereas Kaiser, San Gabriel, and Pomona have a 100+ commitment. They also require a certain amount of hours per week while San Dimas Community is really flexible with your schedule as long as you notify them. 


Another good thing about pediatrics is it is really easy to find pediatricians to interview because they are everywhere. If you choose anesthesiology it's going to be a little more difficult because they are usually always in the OR or they jump from one hospital to another depending on where the patient is being operated on. Same goes for surgeons, or any sub specialty physician. Try contacting your pediatrician or a relatives pediatrician for opportunities to shadow. For insurance reasons I still have one so I just called her up and asked if I could see patients with her and she was definitely cool about it. 




To apply for a volunteer position at San Dimas, call (909) 599-6811.
Find out who their volunteer coordinator is or try to talk to Kathleen Rivera. She is the one who gave me a position. You are going to want to work in the OB department just because it deals with babies which is similar to your field. Don't expect to watch any births or hold babies though. You will be doing lab runs, storage room work, and phone services. Shadowing a pediatrician is where you'll get to see all the action. 

(3) What do you hope to see or expect to see when watching the class of 2012 present their two hour presentations?


Zhailah's answer: I just want to be able to learn new things and interact with the person's presentation. 


My advice: Just be open minded and try to switch into as many presentations that are similar to yours so you can get a feel on what activities you can do. 

(4) What questions do they have about senior project?  What additional recommendations would you give the 2013 student about senior project?  

Zhailah's questions: Is there anything else I should know?

My advice: Do as much as you can to set yourself apart from others because when the time comes to apply for colleges, you will need to fill out an application where you list why you're special basically. Take as many college classes as you can this summer because most kids will walk into college with around 50 units or more from AP and IB classes. The more units you have, the better it will look and you will be able to get priority when you register for classes. This means more units which means you'll be able to graduate on time. 


SAT SCORES! try try try to get at least a 2000, if not higher. Take classes, buy an SAT book, and start studying now! I know what it feels like to be lazy, especially when it still seems so far away but I was in your shoes and I procrastinated like crazy. Take ten minutes a day to go over 5 math problems. I was advised by a certain counselor that a 1920 was good enough but now I have to take 2 placement exams because my scores were off my 20 points. -___- Take the SAT's more than once and if you can, review for AP exams because they get you units! I'd say buy a precalc and self study early senior year. Then try to take a calculus class at ipoly or buy an AP calc book. For the essay portion of the SAT's, vocab is everything. Check out the book "Illustrated Vocabulary" by sparknotes. I bought this book last week and my vocabulary has improved immensely. Trust me, it'll help you. 


The reason these tips are so important for senior project is because the college you get accepted into can count for your product. You'll learn more about this later but just know that. Apply for some sort of major like chem, bio, or even my major which is Molecular, cell, and developmental biology. 


Also check out red cross and try to get involved with that. Cal poly science or math courses will count for hours for independent component which is cool. I think that is about it. Facebook me for any questions you have.

Blog 22: Answer 3

EQ: What is the best way to become a successful pediatrician?

Answer 3: The best way to become a successful pediatrician is to learn to communicate and work with the parents to efficiently treat the child.

Evidence and Sources:

1) 4th Interview with Dr. Mahfoud

This interview really gave me insight on how to deal with parents because parents are essentially patients as well since the child has to get parental consent in order to be seen. 

2) Pediatrician-Parent-Patient Relationship: Obligations of Veracity,

Fidelity, and Confidentiality by AAP.org

This article shows everything to expect when developing a relationship with your patient's parents. It has all the do's and dont's.

3) The Difficult Parent: A Reflective Pediatrician's Response

This publication explains the reasoning behind why parents are hard to manage and how a pediatrician should respond.

Blog 21: Three Column Chart

See link on right side bar.

Blog 20: Room Creativity

(1) How do you plan to address the room creativity expectation?


For the room activity I'm planning on decorating the walls like the rooms in my pediatricians office. There are really cute wallpaper designs made for little kids so they feel more comfortable in the patient rooms and on the walls are really informative posters of healthy food portions, vaccine charts, and things that are commonly found in medical offices. If I dont go with this idea, I want to set up my room to make it look like a medical student classroom. The audience will act as med students and I'll act as a chief pediatric resident to give the lesson a theme. This way I can keep the room simpler and use props such as pretend cadavers, ekg machines, etc.

(2) What activity ideas do you have for answer 1 or 2?


I want to simulate rounds for my first answer which is having a dedication to learning. Ill have multiple groups to do rounds in different specialties before choosing a residency. Ex. Surgical rounds will consist of stitching an orange. Dermatology will try to determine cancerous types of moles or something. 

Blog 19: Answer 2

EQ : What is the best way to become a successful pediatrician?

Answer 2: A best way to to become a successful pediatrician is by understanding what preventative medicine is and using it as a main goal when treating patients.

Evidence and Sources: 

1) Science Fair Project: "The Poor Man's Diet: A Statistical Correlation Between A Person's Income and BMI"

I realized while doing my experiment the importance of practicing preventative medicine to prevent disease. I did my science experiment on obesity and I did a lot of research on the effects of obesity on youth and adults. The outcomes are devastating because they lead to life long chronic illnesses that are very threatening and can lead to a person's death. I found that if pediatricians don't have this mindset, then studies like the ones I conducted would not be important because the data acquired wouldn't be used to help patients.

2) Service Learning/Interview with Dr. Mahfoud


My service learning mentor gave me insight as to what preventative medicine is. A definition that was quite similar to what he gave me was found on the American Board of Preventative Medicine: "Preventive Medicine is the specialty of medical practice that focuses on the health of individuals, communities, and defined populations. Its goal is to protect, promote, and maintain health and well-being and to prevent disease, disability, and death." While shadowing, I saw preventative medicine being applied in the treatment of his patients. His questions about their diet, exercise and overall lifestyle was an example of how it was applied because it went above and beyond what is required for a standard physical. This knowledge will help him determine if there are further actions that need to be taken in order to keep the child healthy and safe.

3) American Board of Pediatrics and American Board of Preventative Medicine 

The American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Preventative Medicine are two sites that showed me about the importance and specifics of of preventative medicine. 

Blog 18: The Product

As of March, my product is that I've become a better researcher because of my work put into the science fair. I feel this is my best product because as a successful pediatrician, you cannot have the mindset that you will be solely adequate in clinical care. Throughout the course of medical school and possibly residency, research plays a major role. This goes to say that without having a solid foundation of knowing how to research, possible careers during residency/fellowship may be eliminated or overlooked due to lack of knowledge in the particular subject.

Evidence: Science Fair Award

Blog 17: Fourth Interview Questions

• 20 questions
• Open-ended
• Do not use is, are, did questions
• Purpose of the questions: To help you answer your EQ or understand your answers.

1. Do you see any problems managing a professional and personal life?

2. Aside from treating patients, what other responsibilities do you have working here?

3. How do the advancements of modern technology play a role in your career?

4. What do you do in order to mentally separate yourself from your job?

5. What legacy do you want to leave behind?

6. What type of mentality should a doctor have in order to practice efficiently?

7. Are there any particular experiences/stories that you still think about to this day?

8. Do you feel working with children requires a special characteristic/trait that other types of doctors do not possess? 

9. What does a successful pediatrician mean to you?

10. When practicing preventative medicine, what is the best way to motivate kids to stay healthy?

11. Can you tell if the adolescent lies to you when you question him or her about drugs, sex, and drinking?

12. What was the most important book source you used while learning how to become a pediatrician? What do you recommend I read?

13. Did you have any inspiring mentors as an aspiring pediatrician?

14. What is the strangest thing you have ever seen?

15. What similarity do you see in all parents?

16. What is the best advice you could give on handling difficult parents and children?

17. What qualities would you look for in a partner in order to run a successful practice?

18. Do you see yourself having more friends in the medical profession or in other professions?

19. Do you think marrying a doctor made your career easier or more difficult?

20. Who would you recommend I talk to, to get more insight in the field?
21. Where do you see the medical field five years from now?

Blog 16: Independent Component 2 Plan Approval

 (1) Write a description of what you plan on doing for your independent study component.

For my independent component, I plan on continuing what I've done for my first component which is shadowing at Glendora and Volunteering at San Dimas Community Hospital's OB department.

(2) Describe in detail how you think your plan will meet the 30 hours work requirement.

I go to San Dimas every Monday and Friday for 3 hours each day. Every other week I shadow at Glendora for three hours. At a consistent pace, I will easily meet this requirement. 

(3) How does your independent study component relate to your EQ?

My independent study relates to my EQ because the point of my senior project is to find out what the best way to become a successful pediatrician is. I can think of no better way to find an answer to this question other than actually watching pediatricians in action and at the same time expose myself to a hospital environment.   

Blog 15: Independent Component 1

Content:

·     Log of hours on a calendar: click here

·     Evidence of the 30 hours of work:

This is my time card from Glendora Pediatrics. 

This is my uniform and badge from San Dimas Community Hospital.

Literal

(a) “I, Terrin Liwag, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.” 

(b) I have completed 30 hours of work by shadowing two pediatricians at Glendora Pediatrics and volunteering in the Maternity Department at San Dimas Community Hospital. While shadowing at Glendora Pediatrics, I usually get in at two in the afternoon once a week and go in the rooms with the pediatrician. I watch how he or she treats each patient and write down observations. I have the opportunity to ask questions and do informal interviews when there are no patients present. When both doctors are busy, I file charts. I leave around five.


At San Dimas Community Hospital, I do a lot more receptionist type of work. When it is a slow day, I sit at the nurse station front desk and answer calls as well as call departments for OB needs. When the day is a little busy, I put together patient charts that are ready to go when a new patient arrives. I make welcome packets, sticker new charts, bring specimens to the lab, and go into the rooms to make sure the patients don't need anything. I answer the call lights, fold linens, restock the storage room, and help push the enter button for visiting family. 

Interpretive

For my independent component, I've learned what it is like to work in a medical environment by exposing myself through volunteer work. I've demonstrated thirty hours of work by continuously going to both clinics two to three times a week. The significance of my work would be what I've learned to do at the hospital and what I have learned through watching the two pediatricians. Whist shadowing, I've familiarized myself with the usual procedure that is conducted when I child is sick e.g. asking about medical history, checking the ears, nose, throat, heart rate, etc.

Applied

How did it help you answer your EQ?  Be specific and use examples.

I feel this component has helped me answer my EQ because I get to actually see what it is like working as a pediatrician since I shadow two. When I'm over at San Dimas, I get the opportunity to work in the nurses station so not only do I get the physician experience, but the nurse experience as well. One possible answer I have is be exceptional at working under pressure. What really made this answer true was when I witnessed a terrifying situation two weeks ago. A mother and father ran into the nurses station saying that their baby was turning purple. The nurses did the Heimlich maneuver and the baby seemed better so they put him back in the room. Ten minutes later it happened again. After a third time of discoloration in both the baby's face and extremities, the baby was taken into the nursery and they realized he was having seizures, cutting of his oxygen supply to the brain. The baby's back became arched, feet stiff, and eyes rolling to the back of the head. This happened all within thirty minutes and it suddenly turned into a TV show where nurses where saying "I need a doctor stat!" and doctors came charging into the room with an I.V. and this huge crash cart. It was intense to say the least but it made me realize, if I am going to be a pediatrician, I need to be ready for these kind of situations. 

Blog 14: Presentation 2 Rough Draft

Click here to see my presentation 2 rough draft.

Blog 13: Answer 1

EQ: What is the best way to become a successful pediatrician?


1. What is answer 1 to your EQ? Be specific in your answer and write it like a thesis statement.

Realize the amount of work required to be exceptional in the field of science of medicine and accept that learning will become a life long dedication.

2. What possible evidence do you have to support this answer?

• Service Learning with Dr. Mafoud, Dr. Fermin, and San Dimas Hospital - Through personal interviews with my mentors, I've come to realize that I have underestimated the amount of studying I will be doing. Even as a resident, I will not be proficient in every aspect of the field. There are times that my mentors still struggle with a child's diagnosis. But because of the experience they have obtained over the years, they are confident in the choices that they make whether it be ordering a test or sending the child to a specialist.
• Rudolph's Pediatrics by Collin Davids - This book was not a straightforward answer for me. A I read it, I realized there was absolutely no way I would be able to retain that much knowledge on such random diseases and studies that I became discouraged. I felt it would take me years just to get through this one book and be able to use it as a guide. That is when I found my answer. It was okay if I couldn't memorize every exact thing I read because entering a field like mine takes a tremendous amount of time. 
• If It's worth Doing, It's Worth Doing Well by Dr. Andre Saine, MD- This article was written to explain how to become a successful physician. One of the key points is constantly discovering yourself. You are not only learning about your field, but about yourself and your attitude towards what you do. If you don't, you will not be satisfied with your career.

3. What source(s) did you find this evidence and/or answer?


Service Learning, Rudolph's Pediatrics, and If It's Worth Doing, It's Worth Doing Well.

Blog 12: Service Learning

Q:Where are you working for your service learning?

For my service learning I am working at Glendora Pediatrics, shadowing Dr. Janet Fermin and Dr. Amjad Mafoud.

Q: What is your contact?

210 N Grand Ave, Glendora, CA 91741 

(626) 335-0211

Q: Services performed?

For service learning I shadow so I go room to room with the doctor and write down anything I learn (Disease names, techniques for dealing with patients, anything out of the ordinary) Sometimes I am allowed to listen to the patient’s heart beat, listen for any irregularities in breathing, or use the otoscope for ear infections. I also file if there are no patients at the moment and have discussions with the two doctors when they're in their offices. 

ESLR Blog

Pick 2 Eslrs and describe how youve met them while doing your senior project:

Effective Learner: I've met this ESLR requirement through my research. At first, most of my articles were from measly sites that I found through googling words like 'pediatrics' or 'medicine.' After realizing I didn't get good enough information, I started seeking more scholarly sources. For some reason I didn't get my library card like everyone else freshmen year so I went up and got one at Cal Poly this year. I was able to find sites like the American Academy of Pediatrics and use search databases like proquest in order to narrow down my topic and get higher quality information. Through my service learner, I am able to obtain actual journals written for Pediatricians. In summary, my research has helped me become an effective learner.

Effective Communicator: I feel I have met this ESLR requirement through my discussions with my mentors. During the beginning of my service learning I was very shy and didn't ask a lot of questions that I had. As the months went on I realized there was no reason for that and I learned to overcome my shyness. I asked my mentors for any old journals they had that they might want to give to me. Because of this they hooked me up! I have a huge stack of amazing research papers and interesting journals in the corner of my room now. My mentor knows my what my science project is on so she even printed me a 60 page article on obesity from a site only available to physicians. If I didn't talk to her about my topic or ask her for sources I would have missed a great opportunity.

Blog #11: Third Interview Questions

1. Are there certain qualities that every pediatrician needs in order to be successful in the field?
2. What do you encounter as you go into work everyday?
3. What is the biggest challenge you've faced or do face as a pediatrician?
4. What influenced you to become a pediatrician?
5. What makes a bad pediatrician?
6. Do pediatricians have any health or physical requirements to perform their jobs? Ex. 20/20 vision, steady hands, etc.
7. If I want to specialize in pediatrics, do I need to have a strong stomach for the sight of blood, guts, wounds, etc.?
8. Describe how working with children does/does not require a certain skill.
9. Why did you prefer private practice over working in a hospital?
10. If you could choose to tell me only one thing you love most about your profession, what would it be?


Extra questions to ask if she has time:


11. What do you hate most about being a pediatrician?
12.  During college and medical school, how stressful was the work load? Were you allowed an active social life or was it strictly studying?