Blog 11 – Lesson 1 Reflection

1. What are you most proud of in your lesson, and why?
I am not proud of anything in my lesson. Although I had memorized everything I had planned to say, I blanked out once I stood up. I had a mini panic attack a few minutes before it was my turn to present.
If I had to choose one thing to be proud of in my lesson, it would probably be the fact that I held my ground and tried to present as much content as possible to meet the time even though I had lost all of my courage to face the class and teach.

2. What assessment would you give yourself on your lesson? Explain why you earned that grade 
using evidence from the component contract.
I would give myself a NC since I don't think I met the eight minute time. If I did meet it, I would give myself a CR or AP. I did reference my interview and my mentorship during my lesson but I don't think I was able to properly cite each resource I referred to. Also, since I forgot a lot of information I wanted to say, I don't think my research showed a lot of depth.

3. If you could go back, what would you change about your lesson? How can you use that knowledge to give a better Lesson 2?
I would probably try to speak slower and rehearse many times to all my friends and relatives so that I can get used to speaking to a large group of people.

Blog 10 – Interview 2 Reflection

NB: Questions answered here are referring to my second mentor, Michel Daher PharmD.
Link to interview: https://soundcloud.com/mila-therese-reyes/interview-2-michel-daher

1. Please explain how you are spending your mentorship time (Is it at a workplace or somewhere else? Are you shadowing? Are you able to do tasks that are meaningfully related to the topic? If so, what? Are there other people who are experts in the location? Etc...)
During my mentorship, I ask questions and occasionally help out in his pharmacy by sorting through medications, printing out stubs (the ones you stick to the bottles), and keeping the medicine area sterile.


2. How did you find your mentor? How did you convince this person to help you?
I found my mentor at one place that I volunteered at. After finding out that I am interested in the medical field, the head of the volunteers suggested I talk to the new pharmacist in the building. It was originally planned that I would just shadow him to get a feel of pharmacy is truly what I would like to do but when I found out about senior project, I decided to ask him to be my mentor.
I didn't really need to convince him to help me. All I did was asked and then *boom* he became my mentor.

3. How would you rate your comfort level with your mentor at this point in your relationship? How does this relate to the time you've spent so far at mentorship with this person?
I would say that we are pretty comfortable with each other. Since I never got to talk to him very often, there are still some moments when I clam up and feel a little awkward. He is a really fun guy to be around with, though.
The time I've spent with him so far has seemed very valuable. He gives a lot of information while he works. When he isn't working (downtime) he shows off his funny and entertaining side. This keeps my attention and makes me want to become a pharmacist even more.

4. What went well in this interview? Why do you think so? What do you still need to improve? How do you know? How will you go about it?
My interview went well in that he was able to answer my questions in a concise manner. I need to improve on getting more in-depth answers. However, it's possible that he gave short answers since he inadvertently already answered them when I first met him.

Blog 9 – Advisory Prep 3

1. State whether or not you currently have a mentor, and what the status of your interview is with that person.
I currently have a mentor and have not yet scheduled the interview.

2. At this point, your research is probably guiding your studies toward more specific areas within your topic. Name the area or two you find most promising and explain your reasons.
Since my topic is health, the area that I find most promising is medicine – the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease of a patient. Although there is so much research that can be done in medicine (patient adherence, communication, actual medication, etc.), I have been concentrating mostly on researching what a "good doctor" is and how patients can be best treated.

3. What kinds of sources do you think will help you in the next month to gain more research depth? Where will you go to get them?
I think I can gain more research depth by searching the CalPoly database. My last few research checks already contain more depth as I got my sources from the CalPoly database.


4. Write down a possible EQ. Please don't worry about wording other than ensuring that it provides the option for multiple correct answers. At this point, the senior team is most interested in understanding your thought process.
How can a medical professional best ensure the health and well-being of a patient?

Blog 8 – Independent Component 1 Proposal

1. Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.
Since, my topic for my senior project is medicine, I plan to accompany Dr. Robert Barron on a few of his medical missions to Tecate, Mexico to complete my 30 hours.

2. Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.
During my 30 hours, I plan to observe and travel with Dr. Barron to try to get the full experience of how it is to be a doctor on medical missions. I also hope to take pictures and write a small documentation of what I participated in as proof of my independent component.

3. Explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.
This experience will help me explore my topic in more depth in that I will be able to get more insight into the field of medicine. Also, this experience will help me develop two of my answers to my essential question (analysis & diagnosis and patient-centered care).

4. Update your Senior Project Hours log.
My Senior Project Hours is updated. Click here to view it.

Blog 7 – Second Interview Preparation

Pax Pharmacy in Duarte, CA

The purpose of the second interview is to justify your mentor as an expert in the field. You will be asking them at least 5 questions about their background and/or the background of the organization or company where they work.

1. Who is your mentor and where do they work? If their workplace does not reflect their expertise, what makes them an expert?

For my senior project, I have two mentors – one is a pediatrician and the other is a pharmacist. For this interview, I will interview the pharmacist. 

My mentor is Dr. Michel Daher, the owner and one of the pharmacists at Pax Pharmacy. 

2. What five questions will you ask them about their background?

• How did you become interested in pharmacy?

• Are there any other career paths you were interested in?

• How would you define a "good" pharmacist?

• What are some problems you have encountered as pharmacist?

• How does it feel being having your own pharmacy?

• Do you have any regrets?

Blog 6 – Advisory Prep

1. What has worked well for you concerning senior project this year? What has made it a positive experience for you?
So far, what has worked well for me was finding a mentor who is willing to stick with me for the rest of my senior project. She has been very helpful in showing me the ropes of being a medical professional and enhancing my interest in a career in medicine.

2. What are you finding difficult concerning senior project? How can you adapt to make that portion work better for you? How might the senior team help?
Since my topic is broad ("medicine" as opposed to something more specific such as "cardiology"), I find it difficult to find good sources of information for research checks. I seem to always stumble across outdated articles, articles on topics that are more specific, or recent paid journal article. To fix this, I can narrow my topic down to a more specific topic. 

Blog 5 – Interview 1 Reflection

 

1. What is the most important thing I learned from the interview? Is there anything I would do  differently for other interviews?

The most important thing I learned from the interview with my mentor is how important it is to be sensitive to symptoms when diagnosing and treating patients. In pediatrics, it is especially hard to diagnose a patient who is barely learning how to communicate. During the interview, Dr. Cuento compared the differences between an adult patients and very young patients – an adult can more easily describe symptoms compared to a young child who can barely talk. 

2. Did I get additional resources and contacts? What is the most useful? Why?

Unfortunately, my mentor didn't suggest any resources. However, she did suggest another doctor who I could interview – her son. Her son is also a pediatrician and works in the same medical office Dr. Cuento works in.

3. What makes my interviewee qualified to help me?

Dr. Alicia Cuento has over thirty-five years of experience in pediatrics and has had experience in the medical field in the Philippines, New Jersey, and Los Angeles.

Click here to listen to Interview 1.



Mr. Rivas: I had scheduled this to be published today at 7:30am. Since I accidentally clicked "Save" instead of "Publish" last night, this didn't get published until now, after school.

Interview 1

M: Mila Therese Reyes
A: Dr. Alicia Cuento, Pediatrician

M: I’m interested in studying medicine. What can you tell me about it?

A: Oh, that’s so broad! [laughing]

M: Yeah.

A: Medicine is an art, it’s a science, it’s a…, you know it’s um– what is this… uh course uh– I mean, for anyone who truly wants to take it [sic] up medicine, it’s a choice that they make because of many reasons and uh [sic]. Like for me, really [sic] when I was young, I really wanted to be able to help in the, y’know, in treating people, caring people [sic].

M: Mhm.

A: Yeah. Uh what can I tell about– why I like it and what can I tell about it? It’s not– it’s not an exact science. There’s no 100 percent answer to everything. Y’know, it doesn’t mean to say you go to the doctor and the doctor knows uh exactly what to do.

M: Yeah.

A: Yeah. So, (inaudible) your mom can answer that. Yeah, it’s not an exact science. It’s a very good profession, of course, because there’s a lot of classes… But it’s not an easy field.

M: Okay, cool.

A: Yeah.

M: Um, how did you decide to pursue this career path?

A: How did I decide?

M: Yeah.

A: Well, I didn’t have any um, y’know, um… I did not have any other desire to do anything else but– y’know from a very young age, maybe around eleven or twelve, I really watned to be a doctor and it just– the desire grew stronger as I, y’know, as I got older. And I didn’t have like a choice between uh business or y’know art or…

M: How did– how did you decide that it’d be pediatrics and not like OB/GYN or something?

A: Oh, I just love children. For me it’s just uh so delightful to treat children.

M: I see.

A: Yeah. It’s not easy because um, y’know, um the chil– the child cannot usually say y’know a young child cannot usually really express how they feel as opposed to an adult --they can pinpoint exactly where is the pain or whats bothering them… Y’know a baby cannot tell you, a baby will just cry. That part is difficult.

M: So, are there any problems that you’ve encountered like while being a pediatrician?

A: Many, many problems! In what aspect? From what standpoint?

M: Maybe a patient’s I guess? Yeah.

A: Patients?

M: Yeah.

A: Well, like I said, like depending on the age of the patient… like the toddler or the infant [sic], they cannot express what’s bothering them – that’s one. You really have to be very sensitive… you really need to have a clinical eye in that sense. You really have to be very careful in assessing the patient’s condition and keeping a very good history. Of course in pediatrics, you’re not just dealing with the patient. You’re dealing with the parents, the grandparents, the whole family. Like take for example, with vaccines. We are all pro-vaccination. You’ll encounter a parent who are [sic] against vaccination. But that’s true with adults too. You already have a plan of treatment but sometimes if they come from a culture that believes in some other ways of treatment, it’s difficult.

M: Yeah, I see. Well, how do you balance your time…your work schedule with your family and then like SCC and other stuff?

A: You can do it. I mean, if you have the desire to be a good mom, a good doctor, and everything, it’ll put itself in order. I just feel that way. It’s not easy, it’s not easy for sure. But first comes God, second family, and third work. Like going to church on a Sunday I wanted to make sure if I’m on call I will go on a Saturday just to make sure that I can go to Mass. That’s always a priority. I don’t want to make an excuse “I’m so busy I cannot go to Mass,” unless it’s an emergency really [sic]… like close to a life and death situation…

M: You mentioned like being a good doctor. How do you define a good doctor?

A: I think if you’re focused on making the patient well, in all aspects, you have good bedside manners. I think that is it.…you're not thinking of monetary gain, you’re focused on making the patient well. Because some people, they think… going to medicine is going to make a lot of money. That’s why they get medicine, which is very wrong.

M: So, do you suggest I study medicine? Like, what do you think I should study or I could study that would be significant to other people?

A: It’s all up to you. It’s your desire, your passion. I don’t tell my kids what they should take up. I make them decide for their own because they’re more or less mature enough to know. Besides, if they’re undecided like some students, they stick [sic] and then, after one or two years, they make a decision. But I don’t tell them, “Oh, you go to nursing.” I haven’t done that. I was surprised they went into medicine because they’ve seen my schedule. So hectic… I really, really, really work hard. I remember *** calls back and forth, C-sections… They don’t even know That I slept in the van the whole night. When I go to the hospital, I stay there until the C-section is finished. Sometimes I have to go back again. A lot of sacrifices. A lot.

M: Since I am already interested in studying medicine, what do you suggest I read? Like books or sources to learn more about it?

A: To help in your decision? No. What is there to gain? It’s really what you feel like. Maybe when you start your pre-med or what, during that time you will probably have a better insight. You know, “Is this really for me?” I know that there are some are [sic] undecided becasue they want to but after a while they change their mind for some reason. But I think no one can answer that except you. Because it’s really you that will decide… Yeah, there are questions that you alone can answer, not even your parents.

M: Do you know of anybody, another person who I could also inteview about medicine?

A: You can interview my son if you want . You have to call him though.

M: Oh yeah, he’s a pediatrician too. I forgot.

A: Yeah. Well there are a few… Basically, Mila, you have to pray about it. You have to think… You still have your undergrad before you go to medicine so during that period of four years, I think you’ll have to look at it carefully and then decide… It is not easy. It’s pretty difficult. I mean, I gave up a lot… Some people say, “Oh, you’ll give up a lot of good time… time with friends and family…” You cannot join them because you have to be either on call or in the hospital. There were many times I had to give those things up. There’s a lot of things to give up. Very demanding of your time. And, of course, not to say [sic] you’ll have to study a lot.

M: Okay. I have one more question that is kind off of medicine but not really on the job itself… In our senior project, we have to do a mentorship component where you either take a class or work on an activity with your mentor or do something that’s related to medicine – or your topic of choice and my topic is medicine [sic]. So the question is, what kinds of places or activities do you recommend I do [sic] for the mentorship component?

A: Well, you see, the thing is I don’t go to the hospital anymore otherwise you can go with me go go [sic] make rounds. I don’t do that anymore. But the thing is you can always volunteer at the hospital… I think that’s easier way to go.

A: It’s very rewarding, very rewarding. That’s the thing. Once a child is sick and you’re able to make the hild better… sometimes it seems like theres no hop but somehow the child gets better. really its more than just satisfaction. You feel so much joy. It’s a different feeling from any other career. bc most of the careers are just mainly to make money, to be successful but this is a different kind of

M: It’s not your typical job?

A: No, it’s just a kind of reward.

M: So the most rewarding part is when your patients gets [sic] better? When it seems like all hope is lost pretty much?

A: Yeah, uhuh. Or when you make someone feel happier. Because sometimes it’s not physical, it’s emotional or mental. When you make that person feel better… it gives you a very good feeling.

M: Is there anything you dislike about being a doctor?

A: Well, of course, the hours… are bad.

M: Because you’re always on call, too?

A: Yeah, it can be anytime… You have to do a lot of sacrifice. You have to do a lot of self-denial… Also remember, some patients, even though you’ve done your best, your very best, you’ll find some patients not appreciative at all. So, you have to be ready for that… I feel like almost crying. I feel like so– you’ll feel so frustrated… The frustration factors sometimes if very high. Especially some…rich patients, they feel like you’re the doctor…just like a servant. Like they can do anything with you… Don’t expect to be appreciated all the time. That’s what I mean to say.

Blog 4 – House Advisory Prep

While working on my senior project topic, I hope to be able to finally discern if I truly like the medical field. I have always had an interest in the medical field ever since I was in grade school but I never really knew how what it felt like to be a medical professional. Through my mentorship with a pediatrician and a pharmacist, I hope to gain a better understanding of the impact one receives while treating patients.

Blog 3 – First Interview Preparation

Dr. Baron operating on a patient in the Philippines during a medical mission

1. Who do you plan to interview? Why?

I plan to interview Dr. Robinson Baron because he is an expert in the career that I would like to get into later in life. Like him, I would like to be a doctor. Dr. Baron has a kind heart for the poor. I also would like to be able to serve and attend to the medical needs of the poor. Dr. Baron's medical mission for the underprivileged in Mexico, the Philippines, and other third-world countries has inspired me to pursue a medical career and do medical missions in the future. When I interview him, I will get more details on how to go about this dream and what motivates him to serve the poor.


2. Five questions will be assigned to all seniors to ask. What additional questions do you plan to ask? Ask open-ended questions. What are open-ended questions? Click here! 

• How did you decide to pursue this career path?
• How would you define a "good" doctor?
• What are some problems you encountered during your career? How did you solve them?
• What is the most appropriate way to relay bad news to a patient without being too harsh?
• Is there anything you dislike about your job? If so, what?
          – What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
• You have been part of the World Medical Mission USA Foundation for around 28 years. What motivated you to serve the impoverished? What has kept you motivated?
• What is the most rewarding part of serving the impoverished?
• Has a language barrier (if any) affected the care of each patient? Were you able to work around it? How?
• What's the greatest risk one takes in being a part of a medical mission?
• How do you balance work, family responsibilities, and volunteer work?



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This isn't part of the post... Just keeping it here in case I forget about this.Reminder:  The interview is due to turnitin.com by September 16th at 8AM. Your teacher will give you a component contract and verification form shortly.  The verification form should be physically  turned in that morning to your house teacher.

Blog 2 – Summer Mentorship

With Dr. Alicia Cuento

 Click here for my Senior Project Hours.


1. List the contact name, phone number, and organization of the person with whom you volunteered.

• Dr. Linda W. Chun, OD
(626) 851-1011
Kaiser Permanente Optometry Department - Baldwin Park

• Dr. Alicia Cuento, MD
(626) 357-5087
Santa Teresita Medical Center - Duarte (previously known as Santa Teresita Hospital)

 
2. What qualified this person as an expert in your topic choice?     

• Dr. Linda W. Chun graduated from Southern California College of Optometry and has 23 years of experience in optometry.

• Dr. Alicia Cuento earned her medical degree from the Philippines at the University of Santo Tomas, completed her internship at Christ Hospital in Jersey City, NJ, and completed her residency at White Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles, CA. She has over 35 years of experience in pediatrics.

3. List three questions for further exploration now that you've completed your summer hours.    

• How does specializing in pediatrics differ from specializing in another specialty?
• How can medical professionals help those who cannot afford medications?
• What qualities make a good doctor?

4. What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?

• The most important thing I gained from my time with these doctors is how to better communicate with a patient. Communication is important when dealing with patients because every piece of information is imperative to give a proper diagnosis and to prescribe the right treatment. With these new techniques at hand, I will be more equipped when dealing with patients in the future. As a result, I will be able to provide the best service in return to the patient.

5. What is your senior project topic going to be?  How did mentorship help you make your decision?  Please explain.

• In contrast to my first blog post, I have now decided that my senior project topic will be on medicine. My mentorship with both Dr. Linda Chun and Dr. Alicia Cuento helped me like the field of medicine even more than I already do. Like both doctors, I enjoy helping others recuperate.

Blog 1 – Senior Final Lesson/Interview Reflection

1. What three lessons were most helpful for you to see, and why?
One of my favorite presentations was Ian Kam's Physical Therapy presentation. His presentation exceeded my expectations and taught me a lot about physical therapy and how physical therapists help patients recuperate faster.
Another presentation that was helpful to me was Hasan Khan's Cardiology presentation. He discussed various heart diseases, how they can be prevented, and how they are treated. Cardiology is one of the fields of medicine I have been interested in ever since I was in kindergarten.
A third presentation that I feel I benefited most from was Inez's Judo presentation. Since I have many friends who practice martial arts for self defense, I have always wanted to get more information about martial arts. The activities in Judo presentation were fun and educational in that I learned different ways to throw someone (when confronted).

2. List one thing that you learned about the senior project in interviews that will help you get off to a good start?

I learned that senior project is rather time-consuming and requires discipline. One of the seniors I talked to suggested that I manage my time wisely so as not to fall behind on other classes.

3. What topic(s) are you considering, and why?

One topic I am considering is Physical Therapy. Attending Ian Kam's presentation on Physical Therapy gave me a lot of insight onto how important physical therapists are for those recuperating.

Another topic I am considering is Music (or Music Therapy) and how it positively affects others. Being a musician, I have always wondered how I can help others through music.

4. What EQ do you think might be interesting to consider in guiding a project like this? (Please don't worry about any sort of formula...we want this question to come from your genuine interest).

How can a physical therapist best ensure the health and well-being of a patient?

How can music best benefit the physical and mental well-being of a patient?

5. What are some ideas you have about finding summer mentorship?

 Since I am already a volunteer at City of Hope Medical Center and at Santa Teresita Medical Center, I can probably ask if I can shadow one of the physical therapists to learn more about physical therapy.

Having been in physical therapy, I can also ask my physical therapist if I can learn more about physical therapy.