Learning and Skills

One of the main things I hoped to gain from this internship was the opportunity to strengthen key professional skills, especially communication. Throughout my time at the Department of Neurology, I saw firsthand how critical effective communication is in a clinical setting. Observing Dr. Nevel interact with patients gave me a model of how to communicate medical information clearly and compassionately, particularly during difficult conversations such as delivering a diagnosis of glioblastoma. These experiences helped me improve my own interpersonal skills by teaching me how to be more mindful of body language, tone, and empathy—skills that are essential for any healthcare provider.

A specific moment that stood out to me was when Dr. Nevel explained a complex treatment plan to a newly diagnosed patient. Watching her break down information in a way that the patient could understand—and checking in frequently to make sure the patient felt heard—showed me the importance of patient-centered care. I’ve taken this lesson into my other professional and academic interactions by practicing active listening and making sure I communicate clearly and with purpose.

Another skill I’ve developed is collaboration. Although I wasn’t part of direct care coordination, I observed how nurses, specialists, and physicians all worked together to make decisions for a patient’s treatment. This helped me understand the importance of teamwork in healthcare and how vital it is for everyone to fulfill their roles while staying in sync. For example, during one shadowing session, I saw how imaging results, physician observations, and nursing assessments were discussed collectively to form a treatment plan. This kind of interdisciplinary collaboration is something I’ll need to participate in throughout my future as a nurse and hopefully as a physician.

One of my favorite parts of the internship was shadowing Dr. Nevel. Before this, I had very limited shadowing experience, so being able to see patients, hear their stories, and observe how their care was managed gave me valuable insight into what a physician’s day-to-day looks like. It also showed me the human side of medicine—the importance of building relationships, understanding patient backgrounds, and tailoring care accordingly.

In addition to shadowing, I worked on projects that helped me apply academic knowledge in new ways. I created a patient education brochure on glioblastoma, which required me to translate scientific information into easy-to-understand language for patients and their families. Doing this helped me reinforce my understanding of the disease while also learning how to communicate complex topics in a way that makes others feel informed and empowered. This project not only expanded my knowledge but also taught me the value of health literacy and how I can play a role in improving it.

I also had the opportunity to create a clinical poster titled “Encephalitis from Varicella Zoster Virus in an Immunocompromised Patient,” which was featured at the LHSI Showcase. This project required research, analysis, and concise presentation of medical information—all of which sharpened my critical thinking and communication skills. It also boosted my confidence in presenting material to an academic audience, which I know will be useful in medical school and beyond.

Throughout the semester, I’ve learned how to apply prior knowledge from my biology courses to real-world healthcare situations. Seeing the concepts I learned in class—like immunocompromised states or tumor pathology—come to life in the clinical setting helped reinforce my learning and gave me a deeper appreciation for the connection between science and patient care.

One area of growth I’ve identified is my tendency to avoid situations where I fear failure. There were times when I hesitated to ask questions or volunteer for tasks because I didn’t want to get something wrong. However, through this internship, I’ve started to understand that taking risks and being open to failure is a necessary part of learning and professional growth. Moving forward, I plan to challenge myself to step outside of my comfort zone more often, especially in high-pressure or unfamiliar environments, because that’s where true growth happens.

Overall, this internship has not only given me new skills—it’s helped me realize how to apply those skills in meaningful ways. Whether it’s through better communication, collaboration, research, or patient interaction, I now feel more prepared for the path ahead and more confident in the kind of healthcare provider I want to become.

Successes and challenges

Successes:

• One of the most successful aspects of my internship at the IU School of Medicine in the Department of Neurology under Dr. Kathryn Nevel was the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge about neurological conditions that I previously had little exposure to. Through shadowing Dr. Nevel during patient visits, I was able to observe real-world applications of neurological concepts and better understand the clinical presentation and treatment of conditions such as glioblastoma and meningioma.

• Another major success was creating patient education materials, including informational brochures on glioblastoma. This project required me to thoroughly research the condition and translate complex medical information into content that would be understandable and useful for patients and their families. I also created a clinical poster titled “Encephalitis from Varicella Zoster Virus in an Immunocompromised Patient,” which was selected for display at the Life-Health Sciences Internship (LHSI) Showcase. Seeing my work featured in a professional setting was an incredibly rewarding moment and gave me confidence in both my research and communication skills.

These accomplishments were made possible by taking initiative—whether that meant diving into research articles, asking clarifying questions during rounds, or seeking feedback on drafts. I consistently pushed myself to not only complete tasks but to understand the “why” behind them, which has helped me grow both intellectually and professionally.

Challenges:

• Time management was one of the biggest challenges I encountered during my internship experience. Balancing the responsibilities of my internship—such as research, attending clinical observations, and creating educational materials—with my academic coursework and other personal commitments was difficult at times. There were moments when I found myself overwhelmed, and I occasionally fell behind on tasks.
  To overcome this, I began implementing a more structured time-management approach. I started using a planner to map out deadlines and weekly tasks and set specific daily goals to stay on track. I also learned to prioritize more effectively, which helped me make the most of my limited time. This shift in strategy allowed me to meet my responsibilities more consistently, and I’ve carried these habits forward as we move into spring. I now have a stronger understanding of how to manage competing priorities—something that will continue to be valuable in both academic and clinical settings.

The Workplace

When I first started my internship, I expected to spend much of my time working on a patient database. However, due to delays in accessing the database, my responsibilities shifted to projects such as conducting literature reviews and creating informational brochures for patients. While this change was unexpected, it ended up being a valuable experience that allowed me to build new skills in research, communication, and patient education. For example, creating a brochure on glioblastoma pushed me to thoroughly understand the condition and present it in a way that was clear, empathetic, and accessible to patients—something I know will be essential in my future career as a healthcare provider.

One of the most surprising and impactful aspects of my internship has been the exposure to workplace culture. The environment was very welcoming and inclusive, which created a space where people not only felt valued but genuinely enjoyed coming to work. Despite the relaxed and friendly atmosphere, a strong sense of professionalism was still maintained. I witnessed colleagues collaborating respectfully, supporting one another, and balancing productivity with kindness. This taught me that a successful workplace doesn’t have to be high-stress or rigid—it can also be compassionate and human-centered. As someone who plans to become a physician, this model of workplace culture is something I want to carry with me. I’ve seen that when healthcare professionals feel supported and respected, they’re better able to provide compassionate care to their patients.

I also observed behaviors that I want to emulate in my own practice, especially the way healthcare professionals showed empathy and compassion to their patients. One memorable moment was watching Dr. Nevel deliver a difficult diagnosis while maintaining sensitivity to the patient’s emotional state. Her ability to provide both medical information and emotional support in the same conversation showed me the kind of physician I hope to be—one who prioritizes not only clinical outcomes but also the patient’s experience. That level of compassion and presence can make a significant difference in how patients process difficult news and engage with their treatment.

Working with people from different backgrounds has also been a meaningful part of this experience. Through shadowing and interacting with patients, I encountered individuals from a variety of cultural, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds. These interactions helped me gain a better understanding of how important it is to approach patient care with cultural humility. I learned that it’s not enough to know the science behind treatment—you also need to understand how a patient’s background may influence their perceptions of illness, trust in medical professionals, and preferred methods of communication. These experiences reminded me of the importance of being adaptable and respectful in how I communicate, and they will help me better connect with and advocate for diverse patients in the future.

Finally, my time in this internship helped me recognize the importance of time management and stress management in a clinical setting. I’ve struggled with these areas in the past, especially during my sophomore year when juggling multiple responsibilities often led to missed deadlines. Observing how professionals at my site handled busy schedules—by setting clear priorities, delegating tasks, and supporting one another—gave me concrete examples of how I can better manage my time in high-pressure environments. Moving forward, I plan to continue building on these strategies, especially as I take on clinical rotations and eventually enter medical school.

This internship has helped reshape my expectations of what a healthcare workplace can look like. It showed me the value of compassion, teamwork, professionalism, and adaptability—all qualities I plan to carry into my future roles in healthcare.