HAWKINS FOUNDATION INTERNSHIP

Megan Lee

Introduction

During the spring of 2016, I had the unique opportunity of completing my health science internship at The Hawkins Foundation. Throughout the semester, I completed over 200 hours of shadowing experiences and clinical research. My time at this site has helped me become even more confident in my plan to pursue a career in medicine.

The Hawkins FoundationThe Hawkins Foundation works in conjunction with Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas to conduct clinical research studies in orthopedic medicine. It is located on the first floor of Steadman Hawkins Clinic.

Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas

The clinic is located on the Patewood Medical Campus in Greenville, SC.

Mission Statement“The Hawkins Foundation is a

not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to advance

orthopedic medicine and outcomes for patients through

research and education.”

GoalsThe Hawkins Foundation works together with many entities to accomplish the goal of improving patient outcomes through clinical research.

Hawkins Foundation

ClemsonUniversity

USC/CER-Ortho

Steadman Hawkins

Clinic

ATI Physical Therapy

Responsibilities Provide a research presence in the clinic Office Work

Screen for potential study patients

Organize study related materials

Grade/ evaluate study surveys

Provide a Research Presence

While in the clinic, I act as a reminder to the physicians about research studies that are actively enrolling. I help point out potential study patients based on the inclusion criteria.

Office WorkScreen for potential

study patients○ To maintain a steady

enrollmentOrganize study related

materials○ To keep the research

process efficient and smooth

Grade/ evaluate study surveys○ To collect data on

patient outcomes

Additional Opportunities Observe surgeries in the

operating room Attend academic

sessions with a variety of healthcare professionals

Observe and participate in surgical skills sessions in the cadaver lab

Observe in the OR

My observation time in the operating room provided exposure to many operations including: hip and knee replacement; standard and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty; and many arthroscopic shoulder procedures. This experience greatly increased my knowledge of the procedures and the surgical process.

Attend Academic Sessions

The academic sessions are every Monday morning at 7:30 am. The meetings include physicians, fellows, residents, physical therapists, and the research staff. A presentation is given on a topic of interest and a discussion among the various health professionals follows. The academic sessions helped increase my knowledge on orthopedic topics and apply the information from clinic.

Participate in Surgical Skills lab

I helped set up the surgical skills lab by cleaning and preparing the specimens and organizing the tools needed for the procedures. I was also able to watch, ask questions, and participate during multiple lab sessions.

Projects Literature Review on Superior Capsular

ReconstructionAfter a few weeks in clinic, we were able to

select a topic of interest to write a literature review on.

Internship VideoI worked with a fellow intern to make a 15

minute video reflecting on our time at The Hawkins Foundation.

Literature Review

A link to my paper is provided in my portfolio. It can also be accessed here: https://drive.google.com/a/g.clemson.edu/file/d/0B2O6mXRA0XosenhWUzdFZ2hUaUE/view?usp=sharing

Arthroscopic Superior Capsular Reconstruction is a new, promising surgery in the field of orthopedic surgery. It has shown strong results in providing a solution to irreparable rotator cuff tears in the young adult population.

Internship Video

The video can be accessed through my portfolio under the “Projects” section on the “Health Science Internship” page. This assignment allowed the fellow intern and me to discuss our experiences together and reflect on our time at The Hawkins Foundation.

Conclusion

My time as an intern at The Hawkins Foundation was a valuable learning experience. The experiences in the research office have increased my understanding and appreciation for clinical research. The hours spent in clinic provided insight and exposure to the healthcare field. My passion for medicine has grown, and I am very confident in my plans to become a doctor.