Weekly Report (2/13-2/20)

This week was a truly exciting one. I have faced a lot of obstacles in my quest to gain observership in the operating room, however this week marked the culmination of a process that required perseverance, dedication, and a willingness to put myself out of my comfort zone. After Dr. Mansour and Coach Goff discovered a way for me to enter the operating room and explore the other side of surgical oncology, I faced the challenge of turning that into a reality. Once I had turned in my paperwork, it felt like it was nearly real, but once again, more obstacles arose. My ID wouldn't allow me to log in, and after nearly a week of phone calls and emails, I was finally able to log in. Then I had to complete a large quantity of training to fulfill federal and Parkland requirements, which culminated in my approval. When I travelled to Parkland today, I had an epiphany as I was standing underneath this massive hospital with my ID badge in one hand and a parking permit in the other. ISM has given me so many incredible opportunities, and due to the guidance of Dr. Mansour and Coach Goff I am now able to observe actual procedures in the operating rooms of Parkland Hospital. I never believed that as a 17 year-old I would be in this position, but here I am. I am so incredibly grateful for everything this program has given me and all of the opportunities I never would have been able to have without it.