Student Spotlight on Kelsey O’Hagan, SOM Class of 2022

You're attending medical school during a once-in-a-century pandemic. How has the COVID-19 crisis shaped your experience?

Medical school has changed a lot since the pandemic. Upon entering my third year, I was excited to interact directly with patients and work with them through their illnesses in a clinical or hospital setting. While I have been able to help patients, the social dynamics of wearing masks and face shields have added space between the patient and provider that I wasn’t prepared for. As much as a mask has become part of my daily clothing, I still feel like I’m experiencing a loss as I’m not able to see the full faces of my patients or share smiles together. I am hoping this will change in the near future.

Has the pandemic affected your current rotations? What does a typical day look like?

My rotation schedule is part of NYMC’s Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship, a modified form of third-year medical school clerkships designed to focus on outpatient care that enables students  to participate in several clerkships in week-long hospital stints. Due to the pandemic, we were limited to the hospital until the clinics felt it was safe enough to have students do rotations. In my current surgical rotation, my responsibilities include daily patient sign out and rounds, and checking post-operative and admitted patients prior to surgery. I also work closely with the surgeon on call for the day and will observe and/or participate in their surgeries, depending on the type of operation being performed. I am based with the trauma team so whenever I'm not in the operating room, I respond with the team to traumas that come in for their initial assessments and treatments.

How has NYMC prepared you for your rotations? For your future career?

NYMC has done a great job giving me the knowledge base to be a useful member of the team on my rotation. The community of students and faculty at the school have also set me up well to work on a medical team as the pre-clinical years include lots of group work. The medical school has many online resources, alumni and club events that allow us to speak with current doctors to learn more about the career paths we want to pursue and how to set ourselves up for success as well.

Why did you choose a career in medicine? What is your dream job? 

I chose medicine because I wanted to work with the public and continue learning. Medicine is the perfect mix of helping others in need and being introduced to new and different aspects of science constantly. Every day, I get to learn from new patients and hear great stories about their lives. When I’m treating their ailments, I then research their illness to determine the best way to treat them.