Nearly 40 OUWB medical students complete summer internships

Nearly 40 OUWB medical students recently completed summer internships in the community and in clinical settings.

The internships occurred at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak and Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital, as well as on Oakland University's campus and in the community.

Clinical internships covered specialties ranging from cardiology and diagnostic radiology to general surgery and urology. Community-based internships were held at places like Camp Midicha and in OUWB's own anatomy lab. (See box below for full list)

Regardless of location, the intent behind the internships was consistent: To offer students opportunities to get hands-on experiences related to the field of medicine.

Jean Szura, OUWB's director of service learning said, "We really attempt to identify robust experiences for our students."

Just one of them, Camp Midicha, is predicated on helping juvenile diabetes patients become acclimated with their condition. OUWB students were among the counselors.

"OUWB students become mentors, and they're helping teach campers over the course of a month," said Szura. "They get a chance to see the person behind the patient."

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Nadia Shebli, M2, was among OUWB counselors at Camp Midicha. Shebli credited the camp for giving her a taste of leadership in medicine.

"I learned a lot about how I can be supportive as a medical student and as a physician," said Shebli. "As a med student, you have a very defined role; first and foremost, you're watching and you're learning and being assistive. But for the summer camp, I was in that leadership role."

Shebli, as Szura offered, got to see the person behind the patient while at Midicha.

"I had a lot of interactions with the campers," said Shebli. "We talked about their plans for college, and what they want to do with their lives. They have these very well-developed, and strong personalities and it shapes how they care for their diabetes."

Much like the other internships offered, interns at Camp Midicha also expanded their knowledge academically.

"The first two weeks, I shadowed the endocrinologists," said Shebli.

When Shebli shadowed, she not only gained extensive knowledge of type 1 diabetes, but also on what goes into being a physician tasked with treating juveniles.

"As a physician working with 18-23 year-olds, it's completely different from working in pediatrics," said Shebli. "It's a very interesting line to walk."

M2s were also offered the chance to directly expand on what they've learned in the classroom. Nicholas Belair did this by taking an internship in the OUWB anatomy lab.

"Coming out of college, I had a pretty big interest in anatomy," said Belair. "Doing advanced anatomy, dissection was one thing I wanted to pursue further."

Belair was able to dissect as part of a large project to record guides and tutorials for incoming M1 students of the anatomy lab. It was a month-long endeavor.

"We went into the lab every day," said Belair.

While students learn anatomy through their foundational medical studies, Belair said he felt as if the internship provided a unique opportunity to further his studies.

"With the internship, you're so much more focused, and you get to work on all these cool things with the noise drained out," he said.

The internship didn't just give students lab experience, but it left them feeling fulfilled. This was due to being recent first years and having watched similar videos as M1s, according to Belair.

As a result of the internship, Belair and the three others who participated in the internship will have the chance to turn it into research opportunities.

Having finished their internships, students were left with important takeaways that will shape their careers as students and physicians.

"I learned to pursue things that you're passionate about," said Belair. "I didn't want to do an internship that might just check a box and look good on my resume later. This anatomy internship is something I had my eyes on for a long time. I pursued it and I'm happy that I did. That's the feeling I want to have going forward."

Shebli said she was left with a distinct takeaway of her own.

"I wasn't sure what to expect going into the summer camp. The first couple days I was so exhausted. But I began to really find joy in being super busy and exposed to new things," said Shebli.

"No matter what you may think you're getting yourself into, go in with the true expectation of making the most of it," she added.

To request an interview, visit the OUWB Communications & Marketing webpage.

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