St. Gianna Health Academy Orientation Week

St. Gianna HealthSt. Gianna Health
AcademyAcademy
By: Stephanie KwasniakBy: Stephanie Kwasniak

Orientation WeekOrientation Week
 The first week we hadThe first week we had
orientation. The security copsorientation. The security cops
came in and talked to us aboutcame in and talked to us about
where to park, which was a bigwhere to park, which was a big
help because all of us werehelp because all of us were
pretty lost the first few days.pretty lost the first few days.

Orientation Week cont.Orientation Week cont.
 Ruth Hommertzheim came to talk toRuth Hommertzheim came to talk to
us about the operating room whenus about the operating room when
we have rotations there. She told uswe have rotations there. She told us
about putting scrubs on and where toabout putting scrubs on and where to
go in each hospital for the operatinggo in each hospital for the operating
room. She told us what to expect inroom. She told us what to expect in
the operating room, from doctorsthe operating room, from doctors
attitudes to surgeries, and was veryattitudes to surgeries, and was very
funny and helpful.funny and helpful.

Orientation Week cont.Orientation Week cont.
 Misty Marley came to talk to usMisty Marley came to talk to us
about volunteer hours, andabout volunteer hours, and
talked to us about opportunitiestalked to us about opportunities
for volunteering and how whenfor volunteering and how when
she has the opportunities forshe has the opportunities for
volunteer hours she hasvolunteer hours she has
notifications when we sign innotifications when we sign in
each day.each day.

Hand Washing PresentationsHand Washing Presentations
 For hand washingFor hand washing
presentations, we got intopresentations, we got into
groups of about five and got togroups of about five and got to
go to local elementary schoolsgo to local elementary schools
to teach K-3to teach K-3rdrd
grade aboutgrade about
proper hand washing andproper hand washing and
hygiene procedures. We got tohygiene procedures. We got to
get creative with how we taughtget creative with how we taught
the kids.the kids.

Hand Washing Presentations cont.Hand Washing Presentations cont.
 Our groups came up with aOur groups came up with a
song and skit to teach the kidssong and skit to teach the kids
about proper hand washing. Theabout proper hand washing. The
children really enjoy us coming,children really enjoy us coming,
and like singing the songs andand like singing the songs and
seeing the “germs” on a fellowseeing the “germs” on a fellow
students hands. They also likestudents hands. They also like
the coloring pages we hand out.the coloring pages we hand out.

Thank You LettersThank You Letters
 After rotations every week, weAfter rotations every week, we
had weekly work to do, thathad weekly work to do, that
which involved eitherwhich involved either
handwriting or typing ahandwriting or typing a
professional thank you to ourprofessional thank you to our
mentors or the floor we were on.mentors or the floor we were on.

Handwritten Thank You’sHandwritten Thank You’s

Professional Thank You’sProfessional Thank You’s

Mentor FormsMentor Forms
 We had mentor forms nursesWe had mentor forms nurses
had to complete after we wenthad to complete after we went
on rotation each day. Iton rotation each day. It
evaluated us on body language,evaluated us on body language,
appearance, and how weappearance, and how we
interacted with them.interacted with them.

Rotation BlogsRotation Blogs
 We blogged every week afterWe blogged every week after
rotations about how ourrotations about how our
rotations went and whatrotations went and what
happened. We then commentedhappened. We then commented
on two other peoples blogs andon two other peoples blogs and
read them.read them.

 OR SJCOR SJC
Posted by Stephanie Kwasniak at Monday, January 25, 2010 2:42:44 PM CSTPosted by Stephanie Kwasniak at Monday, January 25, 2010 2:42:44 PM CST
The first day in the OR at St. Joseph I watched a laparoscopically assisted vaginalThe first day in the OR at St. Joseph I watched a laparoscopically assisted vaginal
hysterectomy and cystocele repair. In this kind of surgery, small incisions are madehysterectomy and cystocele repair. In this kind of surgery, small incisions are made
along the abdomen for a laparoscope and other tiny surgical tools, and there was aalong the abdomen for a laparoscope and other tiny surgical tools, and there was a
camera attached to the laparoscope, which was connected to two televisions. A lasercamera attached to the laparoscope, which was connected to two televisions. A laser
was used to detach the uterus, while the gynecologist was controlling the robot in thewas used to detach the uterus, while the gynecologist was controlling the robot in the
back. This technology is very advanced, and for such a delicate surgery as aback. This technology is very advanced, and for such a delicate surgery as a
hysterectomy, it is very useful in that a robot provides a steady hand that a surgeonhysterectomy, it is very useful in that a robot provides a steady hand that a surgeon
may not necessarily have had.may not necessarily have had.
The cystocele repair was interesting and I have never heard of such a thing until now,The cystocele repair was interesting and I have never heard of such a thing until now,
but it is where the bladder starts to drop because the anterior vaginal wall loosesbut it is where the bladder starts to drop because the anterior vaginal wall looses
support, causing problems such as incontinence (leaking urine when coughing, notsupport, causing problems such as incontinence (leaking urine when coughing, not
being able to run because of leaking, etc..). A mesh-like material is used to pull thebeing able to run because of leaking, etc..). A mesh-like material is used to pull the
bladder up and support it so it does not sag or push into the urethra, causing thebladder up and support it so it does not sag or push into the urethra, causing the
incontinence problems. I watched this surgery on the second day as well. The urologistincontinence problems. I watched this surgery on the second day as well. The urologist
on day one was very quiet and talked more to his physician assistant than all of theon day one was very quiet and talked more to his physician assistant than all of the
other surgical staff, where on day two the urologist was very outgoing and blastedother surgical staff, where on day two the urologist was very outgoing and blasted
music and made jokes with everybody. I was told by the urologist on day two that themusic and made jokes with everybody. I was told by the urologist on day two that the
cystocele repair patients are probably some of the happiest people after they have hadcystocele repair patients are probably some of the happiest people after they have had
their procedure. I do not think the job of being a urologist would be my passion or eventheir procedure. I do not think the job of being a urologist would be my passion or even
my second choice, but as long as they love what they do, to each his own.my second choice, but as long as they love what they do, to each his own.

 NICU SJCNICU SJC
Posted by Stephanie Kwasniak at Monday, February 1, 2010 12:20:47 PM CSTPosted by Stephanie Kwasniak at Monday, February 1, 2010 12:20:47 PM CST
On the first day of rotations I shadowed a nurse who only had two babies, one of whichOn the first day of rotations I shadowed a nurse who only had two babies, one of which
was born addicted because its mother took a whole slew of drugs, yet when she sawwas born addicted because its mother took a whole slew of drugs, yet when she saw
her baby she would comment and say something along the lines of "I hope he doesn'ther baby she would comment and say something along the lines of "I hope he doesn't
get addicted to the morphine". They give babies who are addicted morphine to helpget addicted to the morphine". They give babies who are addicted morphine to help
with the symptoms of withdrawal, and the only reason the poor thing was even onwith the symptoms of withdrawal, and the only reason the poor thing was even on
morphine in the NICU was because of his mother's carelessness in the first place. Themorphine in the NICU was because of his mother's carelessness in the first place. The
other baby was fine until its mother decided she was only going to breast feed it andother baby was fine until its mother decided she was only going to breast feed it and
that formula was bad, and she was not making enough milk so it got dehydrated andthat formula was bad, and she was not making enough milk so it got dehydrated and
had to be admitted to the NICU for that reason.had to be admitted to the NICU for that reason.
The second day of rotations there was a premature baby who was born at 23 weeks,The second day of rotations there was a premature baby who was born at 23 weeks,
and this one has a whole mess of problems with its organs not being fully formed sinceand this one has a whole mess of problems with its organs not being fully formed since
it was born so early. It had a gastrointestinal tube for feeding, it was on a ventilator,it was born so early. It had a gastrointestinal tube for feeding, it was on a ventilator,
and it had an operation earlier on for its organs and there was a huge scar all acrossand it had an operation earlier on for its organs and there was a huge scar all across
its stomach and there was some nasty gunk coming from it. There was another babyits stomach and there was some nasty gunk coming from it. There was another baby
who was born at 24 weeks, and was in significantly better shape than the one born atwho was born at 24 weeks, and was in significantly better shape than the one born at
23 weeks. It really is amazing to see how babies can differ so greatly from one23 weeks. It really is amazing to see how babies can differ so greatly from one
another.another.

 Rehab SJCRehab SJC
Posted by Stephanie Kwasniak at Thursday, February 25, 2010 2:15:04Posted by Stephanie Kwasniak at Thursday, February 25, 2010 2:15:04
PM CSTPM CST
We take so many things for granted, like simply walking. While in rehab, IWe take so many things for granted, like simply walking. While in rehab, I
mainly saw people who needed help with walking. It was so hard for them!mainly saw people who needed help with walking. It was so hard for them!
I wondered how that must feel, knowing how to walk and then all of aI wondered how that must feel, knowing how to walk and then all of a
sudden its taken away or limited. The occupational therapists and physicalsudden its taken away or limited. The occupational therapists and physical
therapists are very dedicated and patient, which after seeing all they did Itherapists are very dedicated and patient, which after seeing all they did I
can't imagine how they stay so dedicated after all these years! Being acan't imagine how they stay so dedicated after all these years! Being a
therapist is a very hands on experience, you get very close to the patienttherapist is a very hands on experience, you get very close to the patient
and work hard. I listened in on a meeting they had discussing the differentand work hard. I listened in on a meeting they had discussing the different
types of therapy. Some interesting bits I heard was a therapy called mirrortypes of therapy. Some interesting bits I heard was a therapy called mirror
therapy, which is where there's a box the patient puts their bad hand fortherapy, which is where there's a box the patient puts their bad hand for
example in, and a mirror is attached on the outside of the box, so theexample in, and a mirror is attached on the outside of the box, so the
unaffected hand is reflected, and the patient doesn't see their bad hand,unaffected hand is reflected, and the patient doesn't see their bad hand,
and flips the good one and sees the reflection of it too, and apparently itand flips the good one and sees the reflection of it too, and apparently it
has been shown that there was some movement of the bad arm becausehas been shown that there was some movement of the bad arm because
the brain thinks that arm is moving. A lot of therapy techniques have to dothe brain thinks that arm is moving. A lot of therapy techniques have to do
with mentality as well, and the patient has mental exercises where theywith mentality as well, and the patient has mental exercises where they
imagine themselves moving the afflicted leg or arm.imagine themselves moving the afflicted leg or arm.

 ER SFCER SFC
Posted by Stephanie Kwasniak at Thursday, April 1, 2010 12:45:00 PMPosted by Stephanie Kwasniak at Thursday, April 1, 2010 12:45:00 PM
CDTCDT
I was in the ER at SFC this week. The first day was pretty slow for anI was in the ER at SFC this week. The first day was pretty slow for an
hour, then it picked up a bit. There was a trauma that came in, and Ihour, then it picked up a bit. There was a trauma that came in, and I
thought it was going to be something major. I went in the trauma ORthought it was going to be something major. I went in the trauma OR
room, and it was pretty hot in there! I asked the tech if it was so patientsroom, and it was pretty hot in there! I asked the tech if it was so patients
don't go into shock, and he said it was, because hypothermia is usuallydon't go into shock, and he said it was, because hypothermia is usually
the first sign of shock. The guy that came in was working on somethe first sign of shock. The guy that came in was working on some
scaffolding and fell off. There was no blood or apparent broken bones orscaffolding and fell off. There was no blood or apparent broken bones or
injuries, but he was swearing a lot and dropping the f bomb, and keptinjuries, but he was swearing a lot and dropping the f bomb, and kept
saying his butt hurt, but he didn't quite use that nice of a word. After all thesaying his butt hurt, but he didn't quite use that nice of a word. After all the
doctors and staff figured out he was not seriously injured, they starteddoctors and staff figured out he was not seriously injured, they started
laughing anytime he swore and talked. Another trauma came in a fewlaughing anytime he swore and talked. Another trauma came in a few
hours later, and I went in but left after I found out it was yet another guyhours later, and I went in but left after I found out it was yet another guy
that fell off scaffolding. It was a great day for people to fall of scaffolding Ithat fell off scaffolding. It was a great day for people to fall of scaffolding I
guess. The second day, there was a girl in who rolled her car at 60 mph.guess. The second day, there was a girl in who rolled her car at 60 mph.
She didn't act like she was in a lot of pain and she didn't look too badShe didn't act like she was in a lot of pain and she didn't look too bad
considering. There was also a little boy who got into his grandma'sconsidering. There was also a little boy who got into his grandma's
medicine cabinet and took a bunch of her blood pressure and depressionmedicine cabinet and took a bunch of her blood pressure and depression
pills. There was a guy who swallowed something in prison, I'm not surepills. There was a guy who swallowed something in prison, I'm not sure
what, but they had two cops in his room.what, but they had two cops in his room.


CICU SFCCICU SFC
Posted by Stephanie Kwasniak at Wednesday, April 14, 2010 12:41:28Posted by Stephanie Kwasniak at Wednesday, April 14, 2010 12:41:28
PM CDTPM CDT
This week I was in CICU. The first day I followed Terri R, who was realThis week I was in CICU. The first day I followed Terri R, who was real
great. She said that we move as one, and I followed her to a code ingreat. She said that we move as one, and I followed her to a code in
dialysis. I was able to get some hands on experience when Terri handeddialysis. I was able to get some hands on experience when Terri handed
me the phone to connect to another nurse to ask if she could take on thisme the phone to connect to another nurse to ask if she could take on this
person. The person coded because she apparently aspirated all this stoolperson. The person coded because she apparently aspirated all this stool
that was backed up in her stomach. It was only a 13 minute code but it feltthat was backed up in her stomach. It was only a 13 minute code but it felt
like it lasted forever. I wasn't able to see much else that day because thelike it lasted forever. I wasn't able to see much else that day because the
nurses sent me home because my blood sugar was 400. The second daynurses sent me home because my blood sugar was 400. The second day
I followed Paulina, and she had two patients. There wasn't much going onI followed Paulina, and she had two patients. There wasn't much going on
with those two, and she had me watch a bronch going on in another room.with those two, and she had me watch a bronch going on in another room.
It was pretty interesting to see down someone's trachea. The sameIt was pretty interesting to see down someone's trachea. The same
woman that coded the other day coded again, and I think it was becausewoman that coded the other day coded again, and I think it was because
she still had stool backup and she aspirated. She ended up making it,she still had stool backup and she aspirated. She ended up making it,
but I guess the nurses said they lost two in dialysis last week.but I guess the nurses said they lost two in dialysis last week.

Lecture BlogsLecture Blogs
 We had lecture blogs we wroteWe had lecture blogs we wrote
about the speakers that cameabout the speakers that came
and talked to us during Dr.and talked to us during Dr.
Singh’s career options class.Singh’s career options class.

 I enjoyed Dr. Trolio's talk, because he told it like it was. Sure, aI enjoyed Dr. Trolio's talk, because he told it like it was. Sure, a
lot of it seemed very harsh and made me question why in thelot of it seemed very harsh and made me question why in the
world anybody would become a dentist, but it sounds like onceworld anybody would become a dentist, but it sounds like once
you get through all the troubles, it is a great profession to be in. Iyou get through all the troubles, it is a great profession to be in. I
really liked how Dr. Trolio is very close with all of his hygienists,really liked how Dr. Trolio is very close with all of his hygienists,
and they are like a huge family. That is one thing you get whenand they are like a huge family. That is one thing you get when
you have your own practice and chose your employees, and youyou have your own practice and chose your employees, and you
gain a closeness from working together so much and a big trust. Igain a closeness from working together so much and a big trust. I
liked that he told us the relationships made in dental school last,liked that he told us the relationships made in dental school last,
it shows that they all survived dental school together, and I thinkit shows that they all survived dental school together, and I think
because the schooling is so brutal the bond is strong. I guessbecause the schooling is so brutal the bond is strong. I guess
when you think of people going to med or dental school, youwhen you think of people going to med or dental school, you
think that they are in nice places and all when they are not. Youthink that they are in nice places and all when they are not. You
have a lot of hardships to overcome with schooling alone, thenhave a lot of hardships to overcome with schooling alone, then
put the school in the ghetto and you have to worry aboutput the school in the ghetto and you have to worry about
robberies. What Dr. Trolio said about if you make money therobberies. What Dr. Trolio said about if you make money the
number one goal in life, you will be miserable is very true, andnumber one goal in life, you will be miserable is very true, and
that you need balance. What he said about self esteem andthat you need balance. What he said about self esteem and
being able to control how you feel is important as well, becausebeing able to control how you feel is important as well, because
as a doctor or dentist having low self esteem would probably hurtas a doctor or dentist having low self esteem would probably hurt
not only the doctor but the patient and office morale.not only the doctor but the patient and office morale.

 Ron Shipley's lecture was over radiology. He teaches a two-yearRon Shipley's lecture was over radiology. He teaches a two-year
associate degree course at Newman. When I thought ofassociate degree course at Newman. When I thought of
radiology, I always thought that was just strictly x-rays, and CTradiology, I always thought that was just strictly x-rays, and CT
scans and MRIs were another part of medicine. Boy, was Iscans and MRIs were another part of medicine. Boy, was I
wrong! Radiographers can do so much, from x-rays to PETwrong! Radiographers can do so much, from x-rays to PET
scans. They provide patient care, select the proper radiationscans. They provide patient care, select the proper radiation
exposure, and position patients for examination. Something elseexposure, and position patients for examination. Something else
that was pretty cool was how Ron Shipley talked about film x-ray,that was pretty cool was how Ron Shipley talked about film x-ray,
and how that's a lot like a film camera, and its becoming obsoleteand how that's a lot like a film camera, and its becoming obsolete
now that there is digital x-ray to replace it. With digital x-ray younow that there is digital x-ray to replace it. With digital x-ray you
can adjust the voltage and ampage of the x-ray. Some of thecan adjust the voltage and ampage of the x-ray. Some of the
different types of radiographic pathologies are CT scans, whichdifferent types of radiographic pathologies are CT scans, which
uses a computer to enhance the image. MRI stands for magneticuses a computer to enhance the image. MRI stands for magnetic
resonance imaging, which is superior to x-ray for looking at softresonance imaging, which is superior to x-ray for looking at soft
tissue around the joints. Sonography uses sound waves totissue around the joints. Sonography uses sound waves to
monitor the patient, and its good for fetal studies in womenmonitor the patient, and its good for fetal studies in women
because as far as we know, it will not hurt you any. There isbecause as far as we know, it will not hurt you any. There is
nuclear medicine, which there is radioactive medicine injectednuclear medicine, which there is radioactive medicine injected
into the patient, making the patient basically radioactive. There isinto the patient, making the patient basically radioactive. There is
a PET scan, which is where sugar and glucose is combined, anda PET scan, which is where sugar and glucose is combined, and
it is helpful in that it shows physiology, and cancer tumors. Theit is helpful in that it shows physiology, and cancer tumors. The
last thing there is myocardial perfusion imaging. Radiologylast thing there is myocardial perfusion imaging. Radiology
always sounded interesting to me, and I am glad I learned somealways sounded interesting to me, and I am glad I learned some
more about it.more about it.

 Dr. Crook is a family physician who's practice is LakeviewDr. Crook is a family physician who's practice is Lakeview
Physicians. Her lecture was my favorite so far, and I really likedPhysicians. Her lecture was my favorite so far, and I really liked
the charisma she had. Dr. Crooks journey was a long andthe charisma she had. Dr. Crooks journey was a long and
challenging one at times, but she proved you can multitask andchallenging one at times, but she proved you can multitask and
still pass med school. She was the middle child of 6 kids, and herstill pass med school. She was the middle child of 6 kids, and her
mother was a nurse when most women didn't work outside of themother was a nurse when most women didn't work outside of the
home. Dr. Crook also talked about how she learned to prescribehome. Dr. Crook also talked about how she learned to prescribe
birth control, and at first, she did not think much of it, but later onbirth control, and at first, she did not think much of it, but later on
in her career, she started having doubts about it. She went toin her career, she started having doubts about it. She went to
Omaha when she was in her forties, and got new training forOmaha when she was in her forties, and got new training for
female health care and learned about NFP. On October 1, 2007,female health care and learned about NFP. On October 1, 2007,
Dr. Crook made the important decision to change her entireDr. Crook made the important decision to change her entire
career and stop prescribing birth control. She was afraid at first,career and stop prescribing birth control. She was afraid at first,
because she thought she would lose many patients because ofbecause she thought she would lose many patients because of
this. All those fears are gone as she has a flourishing healththis. All those fears are gone as she has a flourishing health
career. She is a very inspiring woman, and more girls should lookcareer. She is a very inspiring woman, and more girls should look
to role models like this.to role models like this.

 "Occupational therapy turns disability into ability". Our"Occupational therapy turns disability into ability". Our
second speaker of the day was Clint Stucky, who teachessecond speaker of the day was Clint Stucky, who teaches
an occupational therapy course. He was a very funan occupational therapy course. He was a very fun
speaker to have, and was a rather jolly fellow. He told usspeaker to have, and was a rather jolly fellow. He told us
how occupational therapy helps those with physicalhow occupational therapy helps those with physical
disabilities like spinal cord injury and strokes or headdisabilities like spinal cord injury and strokes or head
injuries. It does not stop at physical disabilities though,injuries. It does not stop at physical disabilities though,
they also help with psychiatric disabilities like mentalthey also help with psychiatric disabilities like mental
illnesses and developmental problems like downillnesses and developmental problems like down
syndrome. We also learned about physical therapists andsyndrome. We also learned about physical therapists and
what they do. I learned they get a person up and walkingwhat they do. I learned they get a person up and walking
again, and they deal with the naval and below. Speechagain, and they deal with the naval and below. Speech
therapists work from the Adam's apple and up, and OTtherapists work from the Adam's apple and up, and OT
gets people to work with arms and hands, and legs andgets people to work with arms and hands, and legs and
feet. There are three areas in OT, which are self care,feet. There are three areas in OT, which are self care,
work, and play. Mr. Stucky told us about how OTs and OTwork, and play. Mr. Stucky told us about how OTs and OT
assistants work in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, andassistants work in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and
homes as well.homes as well.

 I have toyed at the idea of becoming a veterinarian a bit,I have toyed at the idea of becoming a veterinarian a bit,
and I know the one thing that always stopped me fromand I know the one thing that always stopped me from
wanting to do it was the fact I would have to put people'swanting to do it was the fact I would have to put people's
pets down from time to time, which I know is reallypets down from time to time, which I know is really
emotional and even heart wrenching just from personalemotional and even heart wrenching just from personal
experience. Dr. Greg Reichenberger was a very enjoyableexperience. Dr. Greg Reichenberger was a very enjoyable
speaker to have, and I am glad I got more than what Ispeaker to have, and I am glad I got more than what I
expected from his lecture. I am pleased he talked aboutexpected from his lecture. I am pleased he talked about
all aspects of being a vet, from performing surgeries toall aspects of being a vet, from performing surgeries to
giving a checkup. I liked his story about how his parentsgiving a checkup. I liked his story about how his parents
wanted him to be a doctor, but instead he wanted to be awanted him to be a doctor, but instead he wanted to be a
vet, and followed his dream. When he talked aboutvet, and followed his dream. When he talked about
general veterinarians, I never realized that they knew sogeneral veterinarians, I never realized that they knew so
much in optometry, radiology, dentistry and neurology, butmuch in optometry, radiology, dentistry and neurology, but
it makes a lot of sense seeing that animals may be a littleit makes a lot of sense seeing that animals may be a little
less complex in their anatomy than humans. I do thinkless complex in their anatomy than humans. I do think
that it is really cool that a general vet can do all that andthat it is really cool that a general vet can do all that and
have that knowledge, whereas a doctor specializes in onehave that knowledge, whereas a doctor specializes in one
area of medicine.area of medicine.

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts
 Overall, I really enjoyed this class and learned a lot of newOverall, I really enjoyed this class and learned a lot of new
things in St. Gianna Health Academy. I am extremelythings in St. Gianna Health Academy. I am extremely
grateful to have been in such a prestigious program, andgrateful to have been in such a prestigious program, and
through it all I have gained some valuable life experience,through it all I have gained some valuable life experience,
and found some things I did not expect to learn fromand found some things I did not expect to learn from
patients and nurses along the way. It has opened my eyespatients and nurses along the way. It has opened my eyes
to life in health care.to life in health care.

St. Gianna Health Academy Orientation Week

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