Blog 21: Mentorship

Literal
Mentorship Log

Dr. Francisco B. Fuscaldo, MD.
North Broadway Medical Clinic and AEON Medical Equipment & Supplies, Inc.

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

I think the most significant thing I gained from this mentorship experiences was the realisation that information is incredible. It's the common phrase that knowledge is the key, but numerous times I've seen my mentor, nurses (and even fictional characters) use the knowledge that they're acquired over the years into application. But it isn't just coming straight from the book. Their experiences have shaped them into the professionals they are today. That is who I strive to be. I've got to start somewhere and experience isn't easy to come by, so I'll start by getting as much knowledge as I can and working harder than I ever have before.


Applied
How has what you've done helped you to answer your EQ? Please explain.

Some of the equipment I saw (and used) were scalpels and sutures for closing up wounds. The technique for the knot isn't that effective when we're going micro and zooming in on the artery, but the idea is clear: stitch up the arteries that you graft during Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery. There have been a lot of models regarding how balloon angioplasty works–and research for the iSearch Finding 2 (angioplasty) was brilliant. I learned the history of how angioplasty was developed and the hardships that came with it. As for the first answer, I think it was a reality check when i went to urgent care for angina (chest pain). Thankfully it wasn't heart related (I was just overreacting)–It was a skeletomuscular issue. But what made me eventually make it my answer–and best answer was something my mentor once said. "The one thing you have throughout your life is your body." 

Blog 11: Mentorship 10 Hours Check

Where are you doing your mentorship?
First at North Broadway Medical Clinic, but currently at AEON Medical Equipment & Supplies, Inc. (with same mentor)


Who is your contact?
Dr. Francisco B. Fuscaldo, MD


How many total hours have you done?
As of the 9th of January, 2013: 21 Hours.


Summarize the 10 hours of service you did.
My mentor has been showing me a lot about the field of medicine. He talks about the tools he uses as well as the methods he uses such as how to talk to patients, how important it is to know your patient, etc. Every time I meet him, it seems like there is more to learn. (The mix of massive amounts of information as well as the broad field does give off that effect!)

Summer Mentorship Component

Service Log

[Senior] Summer Community Service Log

The first ten hours at AEON Medical Equipment & Supplies, Inc. and the doctor's office were for this summer mentorship component.

The extra thirty hours at the UC Irvine Medical Centre was an extra thing I did after getting the ten hours required. I don't believe it can be counted for mentorship as it is part of a week-long programme called Camp Cardiac, in which UC Irvine Medical Students taught us all about the medical profession. We were able to ask undergraduates, medical students, and full-fledged doctors questions about the field. I've added it just to log it! It's also influenced me to do my senior project on it.


Contact Information

Susan Esquivel – (909) 223–0179


What questions were raised because of the 10 hours of experience?

1. What kind of things are we going to be doing in the components during the year?
2. What do I really want to do with my life?
3. What is the hardest thing to deal with in the different types of fields of medicine?
4. How people think and feel in the the medical profession

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

I really got most of my enjoyment from Camp Cardiac. Although it was not particularly a mentorship, it left me with a feeling of enthusiasm and the desire to really get a good mentor in this school year. I really want to do something in the medical field. Surgeon? Sure.


How did what you did help you choose a topic?

The ten hours at AEON Medical Equipment & Supplies, Inc. helped me realise that what I'm dealing with is very complicated. I have been going to these medical supply companies since I was small (Accompanying my mum), but I never realised how deep it was. After going to Camp Cardiac and interacting with the doctors and medical students as well as learning more about the field, I now absolutely know I want to become a doctor with my senior project being something in this field. I hope this senior year will be a good learning experience for me. If what this summer has shown me so far is a vision of my future, then I'm going to be very happy.