Clay dressed in scrubs, prepared to observe a surgery
Biology major Clay VanOstrand ’24, from Auburn, N.Y., describes his summer fellowship shadowing medical professionals at an Italian hospital.
This summer, I worked as an Atlantis Fellow at Ospedale Carlo Poma in Mantua, Italy. Atlantis is an organization that works with pre-medical students to expose them to a variety of medical specialties and the operations of the European healthcare system.
As an Atlantis Fellow, I rotated through various departments of the large public hospital. I had the opportunity to work in general surgery, pediatrics, anesthesiology, and cardiothoracic surgery. Each week, I shadowed physicians and surgeons, while also observing surgeries and gaining insight into pre-operative and post-operative care. Each morning, I sat in on department meetings before completing rounds with the physicians. Throughout the day, I communicated with hospital staff and fellow students in Italian, a language I’m studying here at Colgate.
I also had the opportunity to work in the intensive care unit or ICU, which is where I most enjoyed working. I appreciated conversations with a nurse who has worked in the ICU for more than 30 years — who shared stories with me about working there during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was inspiring to hear how nurses from different departments volunteered to help in the ICU and how the doctors and nurses there essentially became their patients’ families.
I was also allowed to spend time in the operating room. Some of the surgeries that I observed included a colectomy, a lymph node dissection, a coronary artery bypass, and an aortic valve replacement. I particularly enjoyed learning from the perfusionist, who operates the heart-lung machine during open-heart surgeries. Watching surgeries was a meaningful experience as I was able to see how each person in the room played a distinct yet crucial role in ensuring the patient’s health and safety.
Another memorable day was spent in the cardiac catheterization lab, where myself and another student were able to observe two minimally invasive heart procedures. It was especially interesting to see how advancements in medical technology allow physicians to treat cardiology patients without having to perform open-heart surgery which has more associated risks.
When I was not in the hospital, the program also had a large cultural component. Not only was I speaking Italian, but the program’s site manager brought my fellow students and me on weekly dinners and excursions, allowing us to experience authentic Italian culture. While in Italy, I also had the opportunity to spend time visiting family members who live in Rome. I am incredibly grateful to have had this opportunity and am eager to continue my journey in medicine.
Learn more about summer internship funding opportunities through Career Services at Colgate.
