Perry Reflection

Gillian Myers Reflection Perry Outreach (enrichment trip) March 28, 2019

Perry Outreach The Perry Outreach program helped me utilize my leadership skills in the medical setting. I got to work with 2 female orthopedic surgeons who were empowering young women from Georgia to become medical professionals. I was given the opportunity to learn how to apply and take off a cast without damaging the patient. I experienced a mock intermedullary fixation surgery, an ACL tear surgery (ligament reconstruction), and a fracture repair. The intermedullary fixation allowed me to drill the bone marrow out the femur, then put insert a dowel. Next, I inserted 4 nails on each side of the fracture to secure it in place. The ligament reconstruction consisted of taking a drill with the smallest drill bit and slowly increasing the size while drilling into the ligament site. The fracture repair required the same steps as the leg fixation, but instead of inserting 4 nails I inserted a rod superficially with 4 longer nails. This gave me the chance to work on my soft skills and communicate with other people who were interested in the same field as me. This was a learning experience that enabled me to enhance my medical knowledge and extend my passion for science.