I completed my practicum project through a student observership at Virtua Voorhees Hospital in 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. This observership program is intended mainly for undergraduate students or students who have not yet entered medical school, allowing them to gain firsthand exposure to clinical medicine and hospital operations.
One interesting aspect of this opportunity was how difficult it was to discover. The observership is 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 such a position as a sophomore undergraduate student who was still exploring whether medicine was the right path. In the NICU, I was often grouped with medical students on clinical rotations and exposed to many of the same educational experiences they received. I learned about the opportunity through a family contact who works as a neonatologist at the hospital. Even she had only discovered the program after researching opportunities online.
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. For future SGC Scholars seeking a practicum site, I would strongly recommend reaching out directly to professionals in areas that genuinely interest you, even if opportunities are not publicly advertised. Networking through professors, family friends, mentors, or alumni can be extremely valuable. I also learned that sending respectful and concise emails introducing yourself, your goals, and your interest in learning can open unexpected doors. Persistence is important because many opportunities in healthcare and research are found through personal communication rather than formal postings.
Most of my time during the observership was spent in Labor and Delivery. This unit focused 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 what signs indicate normal or abnormal findings. I also observed perineal repair procedures following childbirth and watched physicians monitor and manage postpartum hemorrhage, one of the most serious complications after delivery.
In addition, I observed several 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 also 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 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. I shadowed newborn evaluations and routine assessments and observed neonatal support during deliveries complicated by Cesarean section, meconium-stained fluid, and maternal diabetes.
The NICU exposed me to highly specialized neonatal procedures. 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 to stabilize a newborn. I also observed the examination of a newborn with Down syndrome delivered via Cesarean section. These experiences showed me both the complexity of neonatal medicine and the emotional resilience required of healthcare providers.
Beyond the scientific and medical knowledge I gained, this experience profoundly affected my understanding of the relationship between science and society. I saw that medicine is not only about clinical expertise but also about communication, empathy, teamwork, and trust. Physicians had to balance scientific decision-making with compassion for patients and families during some of the most emotional moments of their lives. Watching healthcare professionals support patients through fear, pain, uncertainty, and joy gave me a greater appreciation for the human side of science.
This observership also clarified my future goals. Before beginning the experience, I was uncertain whether I wanted to pursue medicine. 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 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, collaboration, and adaptability in medicine.
Overall, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue my observership at Virtua Voorhees Hospital. This experience has taught me not only about medicine and science, but also about humanity, communication, and responsibility. It has had a lasting impact on both my academic goals and my future career plans.