Internship

About the Internship

Project ECHO uses video conferencing to connect local primary care teams with specialists, helping them provide better care for complex health conditions. By sharing expert knowledge, ECHO empowers rural and underserved communities to access high-quality care close to home, improving health outcomes without high costs. At IU Indianapolis, 15 active ECHO programs are addressing critical health challenges across the state

Penn State, 2022

Visual Elevator Pitch

Project Summary

- As a Project ECHO intern, I support programs focused on HCV and LGBTQ+ health by assisting with session preparation and follow-up. My responsibilities include managing attendance, compiling case presentations, and utilizing REDCap and Marketing Cloud to organize data and communications.

For this showcase, I have compiled a mock case presentation to demonstrate how Project ECHO facilitates knowledge-sharing between healthcare providers. This presentation highlights the structured case-based learning approach used in ECHO sessions, where experts and community clinicians collaborate to improve patient care. It also showcases Project ECHO’s unique “all teach, all learn” model, which creates a collaborative space where everyone contributes knowledge and gains new insights. Visitors will gain insight into the behind-the-scenes coordination that makes these sessions effective and impactful.

Workplace

Throughout my previous experiences, including my role at a law firm where I worked on legal research and client communication, I have developed a strong work ethic. I was able to enhance my communication and adaptability skills through tasks like drafting legal documents, participating in proud projects in my courses, and taking on leadership roles in extracurricular activities. For instance, as Vice President of my sorority, I collaborate with other members to complete projects under strict deadlines. Working in a fast paced environment taught me to manage tasks effectively while collaborating with others.

These strengths will allow me to actively contribute to my internship by collaborating effectively with team members, adapting to project requirements, and quickly learning to support the programs that I am apart of within my internship.

This year, I have been a team member who values communication and collaboration. When I complete my tasks, I make it a priority to offer assistance to other interns or my supervisors. At the start of my internship, I focused on adjusting to the environment and getting to know my team. However, by consistently offering my help, I have opened the door to new opportunities and taken on a variety of responsibilities. While some of my contributions may seem small, they have played a key role in ensuring that ECHO sessions run smoothly, ultimately supporting the larger mission of the program.

Successes and Challenges

The first time I felt successful as an intern was when I completed my tasks independently without needing to ask any questions. I remember working from home, reviewing my list of tasks on Asana, and going through each one confidently. This was a big accomplishment because the tasks were still new to me at the time, yet I felt proud of how quickly I had learned and adapted. Completing my work smoothly gave me confidence and showed me the value of being prepared and organized, something I can carry forward in both my academic and career goals.

Another moment of success was when I communicated to my supervisors about a challenge I was facing. During the LHSI site visits, I mentioned that proofreading a Spanish manual was difficult because the formal dialect used was different from the one I am fluent in. When I brought this up, the team overseeing the translations was incredibly supportive. They reassured me that the paragraphs could be adjusted to make them easier to understand. Their encouragement and willingness to accommodate my feedback not only made the task manageable but also taught me the importance of advocating for myself and seeking support when needed.

This spring semester, I have achieved several successes. One of my biggest accomplishments has been maintaining consistent communication with my coworkers. Whenever I encounter challenges or feel uncertain about a task, I make sure to ask for clarification, which has helped me complete my work efficiently and correctly. Another success has been balancing my coursework alongside my internship. Despite a heavy class load, I have learned to manage my time effectively, and I’m proud that my grades reflect my hard work. These experiences have reinforced the importance of communication and adaptability. I will continue to apply these skills as I work toward my future academic and career goals.

One of the most challenging parts of the fall semester has been balancing my internship with school. I am taking heavy classes this semester, and managing everything alongside my other commitments has been overwhelming at times. What has made a big difference is the flexibility of my internship hours. Being able to work from home or prioritize my time as a student when needed has been incredibly helpful. My supervisor’s reassurance that I am a student first has significantly reduced my stress and shown me the importance of open communication in balancing responsibilities.

A specific challenge in my internship was proofreading a Spanish manual written in a dialect different from the one I know. The formal language made it difficult for me to understand, and I had to reread sections multiple times to grasp the meaning. When I shared this with my supervisors, they and the team overseeing the translations provided reassurance and flexibility, allowing us to adjust the paragraphs to make them more comprehensible. This experience taught me that seeking help and being honest about challenges can lead to solutions and growth, lessons I’ll continue to apply in the future.

This spring semester, one of the biggest challenges I faced was transitioning to working from home due to building construction. Without access to multiple screens, it was more difficult to stay organized and on top of my daily tasks. Additionally, the change in environment made it harder to maintain the same level of focus and structure. However, my supervisor’s regular check-ins with the interns made a big difference. Knowing that they cared about how we were adjusting and were open to feedback helped me feel supported. I also learned to adapt by setting a structured routine and using productivity tools to stay on track. This experience has strengthened my ability to work independently and stay accountable. These skills will be valuable in my future academic and professional endeavors.

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