My Essential Question

Which healthcare profession should I choose, in order to prioritize my needs of working in a career that assess criteria of something that would validate my reasons for choosing to research the medical field?

Why did you select this as your essential question? 

I selected this statement as my essential question, because it is really important for me to discover and explore my career options.  The Medical field is something I already decided I would want to pursue, especially after experiencing magical medical procedures like heart caths.  However, I want to research what medical field is best suited for me and my personal needs.  In order to succeed in life, I must choose a career that will help me to prosper.  Thus, I want to find a career that meshes well with my talents and personality. The career I choose will have to be one that makes me happy every time I wake up in the morning to go to work.  It is one of the biggest decisions that I will ever make in life and I want to make the right choice.

What excites you most about finding the answer to this essential question?

My enthusiasm rises when I think about going to college to pursue a life-long career path.  I have always wanted to experience more of the medical career, once I got a taste of it from my mentor.  Everything about what she does leaves me wanting more. Thus, I get the most excited about uncovering all the opportunities that are out there waiting for me.  There are tons of careers out there that most people don’t even know exist!  My goal is to uncover those obscure careers.  This research will help open my eyes to the medical world around me.  The possibility of uncovering my dream career gets my heart racing with enthusiasm!

Do you feel that this question accurately reflects a desire/need that you have to find out more about this topic?

            My essential question ignites a desire in me to pursue a career I am truly passionate about.  From my experience, I have already fallen in love with the medical field.   I must research this topic further to take advantage of all the opportunities that are waiting for me, when I graduate.  Also, my desire to help people in need is reflected in my question.  I wish to have a career that also reflects my desire.  I also have a need to find out about this topic because it is a crucial and essential part of my life.  I look forward to discovering my life long career that will be with me for the rest of my life.

TEE Article Summary

Last week during my mentorship, I had the unique opportunity to observe a TEE (Transesophageal Echocardiogram).  Upon further research from this particular article, I discovered that a TEE uses high-frequency sound waves to produce a graphic outline of the heart.  A TEE is used on patients for the purpose of looking at the heart’s valves and chambers to check for any abnormalities, without any interference from the lungs or ribs.  For the procedure, the doctor inserts a lubricated endoscope into the mouth, down the throat and into the esophagus.  The patient is awake during this procedure; however they are drowsy from relaxing medication.  The doctor then controls the endoscope and maneuvers it to get the best pictures and readings needed.  The entire procedure takes about an hour and provides telling pictures of the heart.  When I observed the TEE, Dr.Westmoreland showed me pictures of the heart and pointed out where she had discovered a hole in the patient’s heart.  This only proves that TEEs are very important tests for cardiologists to administer to patients, in order to give an early diagnosis of a problem in the heart.  It was a very intriguing and miraculous procedure to observe. Modern medicine never fails to amaze me.

Cleveland Clinic. "Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)." Cleveland Clinic. Health Hub, 10 Aug. 2009. Web. 28 Oct. 2012.

Reflection of Ted Talks Site

- I would study neurology, if I had the time and unlimited resources, because it is something that I would really enjoy learning about every day. 

- I believe that attitude has a greater influence than aptitude.  For instance, if a person is really motivated and has a great attitude about what they are accomplishing then the aptitude will come to them with perseverance. On the other hand, if someone has aptitude but a bad attitude about accomplishing something then they will never succeed or prosper.

- Our current grading system sets some students up for failure and needs to be modified.  For instance, cumulative tests are weak spots for some students, because even though these students’ may know the material they receive a bad grade on the tests because they freeze up.  The education system should set up a personalized learning environment to help students to flourish in their personal strong suits and talents.

- Honors mentorship has instilled a great work ethic into me and has taught me valuable independence and problem solving skills, through real life teaching scenarios.  The program has also brought to my attention skills that I need to work on.  For example, I learned through the many projects and assignments online that I need to improve on my computer skills and time management.

College Medical Programs

My Top 3 Medical Colleges:

 Emory

Atlanta, Georgia

http://www.emory.edu/home/index.html

University of North Carolina

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

http://www.unc.edu/index.htm

Vanderbilt

Nashville, Tennessee

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/

I am conducting research on colleges to discover the colleges that will best suit my needs and wants for my future career.  By creating criteria for my “perfect” college, I picked the top three colleges that fit all of my guidelines. I plan to pursue a medical program, when I get accepted into college and the schools I apply to must be highly sought medical schools. I have included criteria, ranking, guidelines, honors and scholarship programs in my research to find the perfect match for me.

My criterion for a quality program of study is it must be well known and have many successful alumni.  The nursing program must be well ranked and have courses that will be required to receive my degree, as well. The professors in the medical program should also be well published. Emory, UNC, and Vanderbilt all exceed my criteria for a qualified healthcare program.

Thankfully, there are no entrance requirements to enter into the pre-med program, until you are trying to receive your degree. I would like to attend a college that is large, located in the South or in a major city, has a great football program, a diverse student body from different places on the globe and receives funding from numerous sponsors’, in order to meet my criteria for a quality educational program. 

UNC is ranked number 11, Vanderbilt 15 and Emory is ranked 21 on their medical program.  This nationwide ranking is based off of MCAT scores, peer assessment, research activity, number of students going into primary care, student selectivity, GPA and the acceptance rate.

 If a student academically excels in the rigorous medical courses then they can be awarded professional honors.  This could include Scholar Programs that give the students more opportunities and resources to succeed by providing them with a better amenities and educational opportunities.

Scholarships:

Tommy Aaron/Charlie Aaron Foundation Scholarship

Jenny Melton Scholarship

Zell Miller