A Summer Shadowing Three Different Surgeons Validates Senior's Career Choice

Hannah Gardner '19 reflected on her surgical intern experience with Baptist Memorial Hospital - Collierville.

“I had an amazing experience interning with different surgeons this summer. Dr. Toy, an orthopedic surgeon, was the first physician that I shadowed. I watched him perform two knee replacements and a hip replacement. Next, I followed my dad, who is a vascular surgeon, as he performed surgeries that included suturing veins and arteries together. Lastly, I interned with an ear, nose, and throat doctor, and I was able to scrub into one of his surgeries where he removed a patient’s thyroid. I gained a lot of insight about the anatomy and physiology in each of these surgeon’s specialties. Most importantly, I noticed the doctor-patient relationship during each case, especially during the clinical visits. Through this experience, I was given assurance in my decision to pursue my interest in the medical field.“