Back in November 2023, when I was researching various summer programs, I came across the Summer at Hopkins program and I was immediately drawn to it. Johns Hopkins had always been one of my dream schools, and the Summer at Hopkins program presented an exciting chance to immerse myself in the academic environment of one of the world’s most prestigious institutions. There were so many different medical courses, but after much deliberation, I chose to apply for the Medical School Intensive course, a decision that turned out to be incredibly rewarding.
The course, Medical School Intensive, offered a comprehensive and distinct simulation of life in medical school, making it an experience of a lifetime. I received practical experience with fundamental medical procedures that are normally taught in medical school during a two-week period. These included useful abilities like blood typing, IV insertion, and simple surgical techniques like suturing. However, the chance to put these talents into practice in a clinical setting at the Johns Hopkins Hospital was what really made this program unique.
Our frequent outings to the Johns Hopkins Hospital’s Medicine Simulation Center were among the program’s highlights. We were able to participate in lifelike medical simulations here, which significantly improved our educational experience. For example, we used a mannequin with a simulated heartbeat to practice CPR and resuscitation. We learned what to do if someone was found unconscious, from starting CPR immediately, to bag-valve-mask ventilation, and how to use an AED. On another occasion, we were trained to perform intubations on adult mannequins using real medical equipment. These simulations provided a level of realism that is rare to find outside of actual medical training, giving us a glimpse into the responsibilities and challenges healthcare professionals face.
In addition to the simulation exercises, the course gave us access to the cutting-edge Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories at Johns Hopkins for lab work. It was an amazing experience to have access to cutting-edge lab equipment, especially since most high school students do not have access to such facilities or resources. This part of the program deepened my understanding of laboratory techniques and the important role they play in medical research.
In addition to emphasizing practical skills, the Medical School Intensive course included lectures every morning. These lectures were very engaging and covered a wide range of medical topics. This combination of hands-on practice and learning from textbooks created a well-rounded educational experience that gave me a much more in-depth understanding of the medical field. In addition to broadening my understanding of medicine, what I was able to learn over those two weeks also gave me a true sense of what it’s like to be a medical student.
To sum it up, my time at this summer program was transformative. I had a better understanding of the difficulties faced by those in the medical field when I finished the program, and I also had a more distinct idea of what was ahead for me. This program is also great as it provides a unique opportunity to learn about the medical field in an immersive and educational approach. I would definitely recommend this program to any student who is willing to participate in a immersive and rewarding university experience, especially those who have a passion for medicine.
8/5/2024
