Job Shadowing an Orthopedist

I regard doctors as everyday heroes. Our lives are so vulnerable. We all get sick or hurt once in awhile. We fully rely on our doctors to gain back our strength.

When I was five, I saw my brother accidentally burn his hand on the heater. He was taken to the Emergency Room, where he was carefully treated. Observing the doctors in the ER ignited my desire to be a doctor to save people's lives.

This past summer, I received a call from Dr. Wei, "Cynthia, I need your help in the Taiwan hospital this summer. Are you willing to do it?" This simple question changed my life profoundly.

Ever since I was young, while my friends played hopscotch, make believe, and dress up, I placed all my stuffed animals and dolls in a row, checking their temperatures and listening to their "heartbeat". I had always dreamed of wearing a white lab coat, working in a hospital, and simply helping others. The feeling of visiting the poor and working at soup kitchens through church functions had deeply impacted me. I was moved by the look of happy faces, the innocent laughter, and the way the people welcomed both love and friendship. I had volunteered at Mercy Hospital throughout the year, and during school months I eagerly helped out at Arbor's Nursing Home. None of these volunteering activities, however, would compare to working side by side with a doctor.

So, of course, I called the doctor back, and responded eagerly, "Yes. I would love to." Little did I know how much I was really in for...

I remember my anxiety and excitement as I exited the plane alone, embarking on my summer adventure on the other side of the world. Was I prepared for this great responsibility? Would I be ready to take on important tasks I had never encountered? Reading the intricately etched Chinese characters in the airplane terminal proved challenging, but being able to speak Mandarin fluently and interacting with other Chinese patients was another incredible task.

The smell of medicine and rubbing alcohol wafted through the air of the bustling Cheng Ching hospital in Taichung, Taiwan. Dr. Wei, a specialized orthopedist and neurosurgeon, greeted me with a smile and handed me a white lab coat. My dream had come true! I felt important and dependable. My role changed from that of a happy-go-lucky teenager to that of a responsible assistant. This experience with Dr. Wei was my first with many to follow. Though friendly, he got to business right away, as he was on a tight schedule. Dr. Wei gave me a tour of the hospital and visited his surgical patients. I spent most of my time with him on the fourteenth floor, though occasionally, I went to other floors observe their rehabilitation centers and help push patients on wheelchairs.

Throughout my days at Cheng Ching, I diligently took notes and absorbed knowledge like withered grass soaking up the rain. I gently examined patients' spines, helped interpret x-rays, and asked numerous questions. I watched with admiration as Dr. Wei calmly and thoroughly talked with each patient-encouraging them, listening to their problems, and assuring them that they could depend on him. Most of the patients that came in had a worried expression on their faces, but after talking to Dr. Wei, they left with pure relief. I realized that his physical appearance was always pleasant, and he never revealed his frustration, even if he was tired from working long hours. His humor helped people forget their worries, and his compassion led them to believe in his expertise and ability. Dr. Wei taught me to touch other people's lives openly, with my Christian persona. My impact amazed even me. This defining experience showed me how I will become a successful doctor as well.

During my internship, I met an American who desperately needed a translation. I took on the essential role, helping him understand his expensive bill and the kinds of pills the nurses were giving him. It is an uplifting feeling to have an adult grasp my hand and say 'thank you' to me. My belief in influencing people positively and serving the lives of others had helped me come to Taiwan. If I hadn't been there, he would have never understood what the nurses were expressing to him. It was a blessing for both of us.

Dr. Wei allowed me to experience a dorsal spinal surgery as a token of appreciation at the end of the month. As the most eager spectator in the room, I bounded excitedly into the operating room, looking like a surgeon myself, clad in a green shirt, pants, facial mask, and hair net. Other people were curious and asked why such a young spectator was in the room. I felt proud and unique. My fervent enthusiasm, however, was soon met with utter embarrassment. As Dr. Wei finished saying his prayers and was about to begin his incision on the patient's back with his scalpel, I fainted.

Dr. Wei took my little "stunt" with surprising ease, but I was disappointed at my missed opportunity. I realized, however, that the lab coat and surgical uniform I had wanted as a child were just the apparel of a doctor. I learned that the actions of a doctor are much more important.

My experience learning about hospital life, helping the patients, and my realization about what a real doctor's responsibilities are has been an incredible and significant experience for me. Dr. Wei inspired me to become a person who is optimistic, unselfish, and modest. When I grow up I want to be a doctor who brightens up someone's day. I will be the world's greatest doctor. This I must say.