Practicum Observation and Analysis

For my practicum project, I completed a student observership at Virtua Voorhees Hospital in both the Labor and Delivery Unit and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). I worked primarily under the supervision of Dr. Amy Zehnder in Labor and Delivery and partially under Dr. Leonard Goldsmith in the NICU. The observership program is designed mainly for undergraduate students and students who have not yet entered medical school, allowing them to gain firsthand exposure to clinical medicine, patient care, and hospital operations. Through this experience, I was able to observe physicians, nurses, and medical teams working in high-pressure environments while caring for mothers and newborns during some of the most critical moments of their lives.

One interesting aspect of this opportunity was how difficult it was to discover. The observership was not heavily advertised, and even many hospital staff members seemed unaware that undergraduate students could participate. Several physicians and nurses asked how I had managed to obtain the position as a sophomore undergraduate student who was still exploring whether medicine was the right career path. In the NICU, I was often grouped alongside medical students on clinical rotations and exposed to many of the same educational experiences they received. I learned about the program through a family contact who works as a neonatologist at the hospital. Even she had only discovered the opportunity after researching online and speaking with colleagues.

wom Applying for the observership required two physician sponsors who would also serve as site supervisors. My family contact reached out to physicians she trusted, and both Dr. Zehnder and Dr. Goldsmith generously agreed to sponsor my application and allow me to shadow them. This process taught me the importance of networking, communication, and persistence in finding professional opportunities. For future SGC Scholars seeking practicum experiences, I would strongly recommend reaching out directly to professionals in areas that genuinely interest them, even if opportunities are not publicly advertised. Networking through professors, mentors, alumni, family friends, or healthcare professionals can open doors that may otherwise remain hidden. I also learned that sending respectful and concise emails explaining your interests and goals can create opportunities for valuable mentorship and experience.

Most of my time during the observership was spent in Labor and Delivery. A typical day involved following physicians during patient rounds, observing labor progression, attending deliveries, and watching physicians respond to medical complications. The Labor and Delivery Unit focused heavily on maternal care during labor, delivery, and the postpartum period, with a strong emphasis on patient safety and complication management. During my time there, I observed numerous vaginal deliveries and Cesarean sections. I learned how physicians inspect and evaluate the placenta after delivery, and I was even allowed to hold one while learning how doctors identify normal and abnormal findings. I also observed perineal repair procedures following childbirth and watched physicians monitor and manage postpartum hemorrhage, one of the most dangerous complications after delivery.

In addition, I observed many important clinical procedures and interventions. These included reversible tubal ligations performed after Cesarean sections, Bakri balloon placement to control postpartum bleeding, and obstetric ultrasounds used to identify fetal position, placental location, and multiple gestations. I learned about assisted vaginal delivery techniques such as forceps and vacuum extraction, as well as newborn procedures like circumcision. One especially memorable experience was observing a 14-week fetus with clearly identifiable anatomical structures, including ribs, kneecaps, and intestines. Seeing fetal development firsthand gave me a much deeper understanding of human anatomy and embryology.

In the NICU, I observed the care of newborns requiring specialized medical attention. Under Dr. Goldsmith, I learned how neonatologists manage high-risk deliveries and communicate with families during emotionally difficult situations. A typical day in the NICU involved observing newborn evaluations, monitoring premature or critically ill infants, and watching physicians perform specialized procedures. I observed neonatal support during deliveries complicated by Cesarean section, meconium-stained fluid, and maternal diabetes.

The NICU exposed me to highly specialized neonatal procedures and technologies. I observed umbilical venous line removal, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) support, endotracheal intubation, and surfactant therapy for respiratory distress syndrome. One particularly impactful experience involved observing a neonatal code in which physicians performed intubation, chest compressions, emergency umbilical line placement, and medication administration in an attempt to stabilize a newborn. I also observed the examination of a newborn with Down syndrome delivered via Cesarean section. These experiences demonstrated both the complexity of neonatal medicine and the emotional resilience required of healthcare providers working in critical care settings.

This practicum strongly connected to many of the themes discussed in SGC Colloquium, particularly the relationship between science, technology, and society. In SGC, we often discussed how scientific knowledge and technological advancements influence human lives on both individual and societal levels. During my observership, I saw these concepts applied directly in a healthcare setting. Technologies such as ultrasound imaging, CPAP machines, fetal monitoring systems, and emergency neonatal interventions demonstrated how scientific innovation can improve patient outcomes and save lives. At the same time, I learned that medicine is not only about scientific expertise. Physicians also needed communication skills, empathy, teamwork, and ethical decision-making in order to support patients and families during emotionally intense situations.

By observing healthcare professionals and the hospital environment, I also gained a deeper appreciation for the challenges faced by medical providers. Physicians constantly balanced efficiency with patient-centered care while responding to emergencies and making rapid decisions under pressure. I saw how teamwork between physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and technicians was essential to achieving positive outcomes. Watching these interactions helped me better understand the practical application of concepts I have learned in science courses, connecting especially to my biology classes. The experience strengthened my analytical thinking skills because I was constantly connecting classroom concepts to real clinical situations and asking questions about why certain treatments or interventions were used. The physicians and nurses I talked to would also explain anything that I asked about as well as quiz me with in-the-moment questions to help further my understanding and learning process.

This observership also increased my personal awareness and clarified my future goals. Before beginning the experience, I was uncertain whether medicine was the right path for me. However, working in Labor and Delivery and the NICU confirmed my interest in healthcare and inspired me to pursue medical school after completing my studies at the University of Maryland, College Park. The experience strengthened my interest in women's health, neonatology, and patient-centered care. It also showed me the importance of lifelong learning, adaptability, and collaboration in medicine.

In addition, I learned more about my own strengths and areas for growth. I discovered that I am highly interested in environments that require problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. I also realized that emotional resilience and strong interpersonal skills are essential qualities for healthcare providers. If I could have prepared better for this experience, I would have taken additional coursework related to anatomy, medical terminology, and physiology beforehand in order to better understand some of the procedures and discussions taking place during rounds. In the future, I hope to continue building clinical experience through volunteering, additional shadowing opportunities, research, and advanced science coursework.

Although I was primarily an observer, this experience still involved collaboration with healthcare teams. I watched physicians, nurses, anesthesiologists, respiratory therapists, and technicians work together to achieve shared goals under stressful conditions. I found myself taking on the role of an active learner and observer by asking questions, listening carefully, and trying to understand how each member of the team contributed to patient care. This was a somewhat new role for me because I had never previously worked in a hospital environment. Observing interdisciplinary teamwork showed me how essential communication and trust are in healthcare settings.

I would strongly recommend this opportunity to future SGC students, especially those interested in healthcare, science, or research. The observership provided firsthand exposure to medicine in a way that cannot be replicated in a classroom. It allowed me to connect scientific concepts to real-world applications while also developing a greater understanding of the human side of healthcare. Most importantly, the experience helped me grow academically, professionally, and personally. Overall, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue my observership at Virtua Voorhees Hospital. This experience taught me not only about medicine and science, but also about humanity, communication, responsibility, and the impact healthcare professionals can have on people's lives.

Last modified: 09 May 2026