George Washington University Hospital
On Wednesday, I had a severe migraine so I stayed in bed for the day, but luckily was fine the next day. I think it was from the heat (it’s has been deathly hot in D.C. as of late) and dehydration.
The north side of the Medical Faculty Associates Building at George Washington University
Thursday, I rounded with the Green Team and Dr. El-Bayoumi. Afterwards I went with Dr. Jain to the sleep lab to go over old sleep studies. It was pretty amazing to see the sleep lab and the way to read how people sleep through their electrical activity in the brain, chin, eyes, legs, nose (breathing, not electrical), and chest. AP Psychology came in handy because I was actually somewhat knowledgeable about what Dr. Jain was showing me as we went through some bizarre sleep cases.
One thing that’s great about the sleep lab is that not only can you see all the activity from the sensors, but the patient is also video taped. We went over some of the more bizarre videos and it was pretty amazing, albeit a bit sad, to see people act out violent dreams or have night terrors.
Afterwards I met with Dr. Jain’s son, who is an upcoming junior at Thomas Jefferson, and explained the study to him and how I have been logging the data so that he can carry on the work when I’m gone.
On Friday, it was all very bittersweet. I made cupcakes for my mentors and co-workers and the Green Team, and everyone seemed to appreciate them. We had morning rounds of course again, but we did not actually go into to any of the patients’ rooms because we were on a tight schedule.
This week I have gotten the impression that the Team is being very efficient in discharging many of their patients in preparation for call day which is Saturday. Of course some patients will stay over the weekend, but the Team has been able to discharge patients who have only been in for a few days, as well as patients who have been at GW for weeks, which is exciting because they are able to go home.
Unfortunately one of the more elderly patients who had active TB died on Thursday which, although tragic, was somewhat expected as he was very sick and had lived a long life. Also it made it safer for everyone, so they wouldn’t have to be exposed to TB anymore, but still a tragedy.
Later I went with Dr. El-Bayoumi to a Lunch and Learn presentation co-sponsored by the Rodham Institution and the D.C. Action Coalition, which was held for those interested in nursing careers, or those looking to further their own. I educated people on the different kinds of nurses and the differences in degrees, and what each degree can lead to as a career.
It was very interesting because apparently the nursing industry is changing so that it is more difficult to become a Registered Nurse with a BNS degree, yet a BNS is required for more and more programs. I found the presentation to be enlightening because I had previously known next to nothing about nursing careers, and hold nurses in even higher level regard than I did before. (I already viewed them with great respect because it is those wonderful people who keep hospital and clinics operational, and they know the patients best).
Afterwards I met with Dr. El-Bayoumi one last time for radiation rounds, in which the majority of the team came along (mostly the student learners) to the radiology viewing rooms and we were able to look at our patients’ cases of MRIs, CT scans and x-rays. I find it extremely interesting and impressive as to how the doctors can decipher the scans and isolate the issues. One case we saw was a woman with a kidney stone over 2 inches wide!! After the radiation rounds, it was time to say a final goodbye to Dr. El-Bayoumi. It was sad, but I am so grateful to have been able to work under her.
At the close of my internship, I am more than thankful for the amazing experience it has been at GW, and of the impression that it has made on me as a person and an aspiring physician. Thank you so much!!!
Statue of George Washington at Washington Circle on Pennsylvania Ave
The National Mall, taken from Lincoln Memorial steps
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