Ashley Nguyen

St. Thomas Aquinas

Class Of 2022

Certified In First Aid, CPR & AED.

Diagnosed A Patient In The

Developing World Using Oculus

Rift Technology.

Trained at Howard University's

Medical Simulation Lab.

My Medical Training

Diagnosed a

Real-Life Patient

& Medical Experts

Training with Doctors

First Aid, CPR, &

AED Certifications

Howard University

Simulation Training

Medical Simulation Center

Howard University

1

Phlebotomy

I was trained how to draw blood using phlebotomy arm simulator. The arm provided a realistic tissue feel and realistic vein wall resistance. I practiced placing a needle in the vein to draw blood.

During this procedure, the medical facilitator walked me through blood-drawing technique and helped improve the communication skills that I will use in the future with patients.

2

Ultrasound

The manikin-based ultrasound simulator allowed me to develop the psychomotor skills needed to handle ultrasound probes.

I received an introductory course on ultrasounds and was able to expand my cognitive skills that are needed to interpret ultrasound images, make diagnoses, and deliver clinical decisions. The ultrasound simulator I used made learning more engaging and intuitive.

3

Simulation Robot

I was given a rare opportunity to work with Howard University's state of the art simulation robot. The SimMan 3G provided me with an opportunity to understand a complex medical situation like seizures without risk to patients.

The facilitator walked me through each scenario and gave me detailed feedback that reinforced skills I had learned throughout my time at the Leadership Initiatives Advanced Medical Summit.

Certified

Certified

Cardiopulmonary

Resuscitation (CPR)

Certification

Certified

First-Aid

Certification

Certified

Automated External

Defibrillator (AED)

Certification

The Advanced Medical and Public Health Summit Nigerian diagnosis is the first-ever program of its kind. I not only got to work with the top medical professionals from around the world, but also save lives.

Using Oculus Rift Goggles, I was transported to a hospital in Bauchi State, Nigeria where I was able to interact with my patient in real-time. Using the doctor in Nigeria as an extension of myself, I examined & diagnosed my patient using my diagnostic training on the top 4 leading causes of death in Nigeria; malaria, typhoid fever, nutritional anemia, & acute respiratory infections (ARI).

These patients were not actors. They were locals from Bauchi State that were all ill and would normally not be able to afford medical treatment as they earn $1.25 a day or less. In return for working with our participants, all of their treatments were funded by Leadership Initiatives.

In 2019, Leadership Initiatives was able to fund the treatment of over 62 treatments.

International Oculus Rift Patient Diagnosis

In Partnership With The Shifa Royal Hospital In Bauchi State, Nigeria and The Future First Foundation

Malaria

Typhoid

Anemia

ARI

My Patient-Mawawi Upisman

Mawawi Upisman was my patient during the Leadership Initiatives Youth Development Program. He is a young boy that lives with both of her parents. Mawawi is from a village in Bauchi state, located in the northeastern part of Nigeria.

Mawawi's family suffers from extreme poverty, hi father earns money through auto repair work. Mawawi has had a sever fever and coughing for days, causing his family to worry about his life. To reach Shifa Royal Hospital, Mawawi must travel more than an hour by bus.

Since Mawawi presented with chills, fever, and sweating, I had a feeling that Mawawi had malari I asked the doctor to do a blood smear or a Rapid Diagnostic Test to confirm. Once the results of the test came back, the doctor found that Mawawi tested positive, and I was able to confirm that Mawawi had Malaria. I suggested treating with an anti-parasitic like Chloroquine, as well as suggesting that Amatula use a mosquito net to prevent another infection.

Patient Symptoms

Patient Biography

My Patient's

Diagnosis

I was also able to offer Mawawi ways to protect herself from Malaria, such as sleeping with a bug net and wearing long sleeves and pants around dusk.

Many people in the world do not have access to needed medical care, including Fatima and her family. Working with Leadership Initiatives, I was able to help provide some of the care they need while exploring a career in medicine & gaining experience.

Patient Update

I had the amazing opportunity to discuss the ethics of medicine with Dr. James Giordano, Georgetown University’s Chief of the Neuroethics Studies Program.

I now have a better understanding of neuroethical issues arising from the development of new neuroscientific techniques and neurotechnologies.

As a group, we explored the use and misuse that these techniques in medicine, public life, global health, and the military.

I heard from medical specialists in the field of emergency medicine, medical research, surgery, sports medicine, and physical therapy.

I was able to gain a better understanding of what each physician’s duties were, what he or she thinks are the best parts of the job, and what parts he or she wishes he or she could change.

I now have taken the first step in exploring the various medical specialties so I can narrow down the medical field I want to pursue.

Medical Expert Panels

In addition, I had the unique opportunity to learn basic surgical suture techniques. During the workshop with Ms. Biele, I was provided hands-on instruction on how to tie surgical knots and the proper way to suture a patient.

On my first full day of the program, I was able to work directly with the American Red Cross to become certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED. During the training, I was given intensive courses to ensure, I could save a life in a medical emergency.

I was able to put my skills to the test during an explosion simulation. LI staff members had a professional medical makeup artist design wounds that mimicked those that would occur during a building explosion.

During the simulation, I was able to show off my ability to perform CPR and First Aid on injured staff members.

After this training, I felt I was prepared to use my new skills to save a life if called upon.

First Aid Training

Through interactive learning activities, I was able to develop a systematic approach to patient assessment and diagnosis.

Dr. Aisha taught a series of workshops that portrayed the proper way to interview a patient and explained various techniques to investigate diseases.

Throughout the summit, I developed skills in the collection, interpretation and critical analysis of patient data.

During this program, I was able to improve my ability to synthesize and evaluate information, make decisions, and apply the diagnostic training to practice situations under the supervision of Dr. Aisha.

These exercises helped me to develop advanced communication and relationship building skills to consult appropriately with patients to best understand their symptoms. The feedback I got from my diagnostic training was constructive and prepared me for my real diagnosis of a Nigerian patient.

Diagnosis Training

I went on exclusive tours of the National Institutes of Health and Georgetown University Hospital. During the NIH tour, I was taken to the Incunabula Room where I viewed the library’s collection of pre-1501 printed books, with original letters written by George Washington.

I was also able to see cutting edge research being conducted by leading medical researchers and attend a special panel of NIH doctors to see the different fields of medicine I could one day pursue.

On my tour of Georgetown Hospital, I was able to see how one of the nation's leading hospitals handles incoming patients and what procedures it utilizes when saving a life.

During the walkthrough of the hospital, I toured where surgeries take place, how medical research is conducted, and was able to meet directly with a leading physician who works there.

Both tours broadened my understanding of how to become a doctors and how a future in medicine is a career I would like to pursue.

Medical Tours

Finish Embassy Medical Tour

The National Library of Medicine

I participated in a medical school admissions panel lead by Admissions Officers from Johns Hopkins University, Georgetown University, and Howard University.

The Medical School Admissions Panel provided me with a firsthand account of what universities look for in their accepted students and how I could become a top candidate one day.

After the panel was over, I had a better understanding of why I want to be a doctor. I learned what I would showcase to a medical school as my greatest strengths and why I should research a wide range of medical schools.

I now know how the MCAT's work, how the application my application is reviewed, and how to conduct myself on a medical school interview.

During this panel, I learned how medical schools review applications and insider tips on how to show a commitment to medicine that will make my application stand out.

Medical School Admissions Panel

Our office in Washington, DC is open seven days a week - give us a call! A phone conversation allows us to answer your specific questions and provide you with contact information for previous intership participants and their families so that you can get a first-hand perspective.

Join us this summer!

Contact Us

4410 Massachusetts Ave., NW #236

Washington, DC  20016

info@lichange.org

202-738-1115

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