Shadowing! The ultimate inspiration.

Happy Thursday everyone! Yesterday (and a few other days throughout this year) I had the awesome privilege of shadowing an OB/GYN (Obstetrician/Gynecologist) here in the Miami area. Before I go into detail, here is a small history of how this even started...

Last year I was intent on finding an OB/GYN to shadow since that is the specialty I have been interested as a pre-medical student. I don't remember why I thought the bright idea of googling doctors was a good idea but, thank God it worked after sending several emails to different OB/GYNs in my area. I don't remember how many emails I sent out, but I only got two replies: one doctor who worked at the University of Miami Hospital regretted to tell me she had just retired, and another by the name of Dr. Ernesto Cardenas. He spoke to me personally on the phone about my goals; why did I want to become a doctor? Where am I currently in my studies? Why OB/GYN (for the both of us)?

After a letter of recommendation and my resume were sent, we made plans to start shadowing in January!

snapchat selfies at 7:30 am, when no one's looking...

But back to Wednesday's shadowing. The last time I shadowed, I remembered he said that I would start doing things the next time. I didn't know how much "doing" this entailed but I mentally prepared myself. "Shadowing is not a spectator sport!" he said. I scrubbed in on a Cesarean section, donned the surgical gown, boots, and hat, and observed the cutting of several layers until, voila! The baby was out. I observed the suturing steps and helped with wiping blood off the visual field, and later intently watched the final closing.
I also literally ran from his office to the labor and delivery floor with him, observed a vaginal birth, and shadowed Dr. Cardenas in his private practice.

Be ready for everything! If you're doctor's a hip young fellow, you must be ready for selfies too!

For those of you who are interested in medicine, shadowing a physician is an awesome way to gain understanding as to what a physician does from day to day. I highly recommend shadowing long term because, in my opinion, the more often you're there, the more you'll be able to witness. One or two days won't cut it.

I'm so thankful to Dr. Cardenas for first of all, going out on a limb since he didn't know me AT ALL, and taking me under his wing. I've learned so much this year thanks to him and truthfully, these experiences put everything into perspective and push me to continue to work for my dream. Thank you for the little diagrams you've drawn for me on random pieces of paper, and quick Obstetrics 101 lessons you give me before seeing a patient.

Continue working for yours! Whatever it takes...


-Mel