Achieving My Professional Goals

At the start of my internship at Wagner Kapoor Institute, I set three professional goals. First, I wanted to deepen my understanding of disease prevention and progression so I could better communicate with and educate patients. Second, I aimed to develop clear and accessible patient education materials that would support health literacy across our diverse patient population. Finally, I hoped to become more proficient in using electronic health records and health informatics tools, which are essential for modern patient care.

Throughout my internship, I worked hard to accomplish each of these goals. By performing diagnostic procedures like fundus imaging, intraocular pressure checks, and fluorescein angiography, I gained hands-on experience that helped me understand retinal conditions like diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. This not only strengthened my clinical knowledge but gave me a more practical understanding of disease management and the importance of early detection.

I also created educational handouts that are now used at checkout and hopefully soon on our website. These materials explain eye conditions and preventive care strategies in a way that is engaging and easy to understand. This project really pushed me to think critically about my communication style and consider the health literacy levels of our patient base. Additionally, I became comfortable using the EHR system to track patient progress, enter test results, and schedule follow-up visits, skills that will be crucial when I become a Physician Assistant. I can confidently say that I achieved all three goals and gained even more than I expected from this internship.

Knowledge Gained from the Internship

This internship gave me the opportunity to grow both academically and professionally. Beyond clinical skills, I gained a better understanding of how patient care is influenced by so many moving parts, including administrative support, health literacy, and interdisciplinary teamwork. Working alongside providers, surgical coordinators, billing staff, and patient service representatives gave me insight into the entire patient journey, from intake to treatment and follow-up.

Clinically, I improved my ability to perform procedures such as visual acuity tests, pupil dilation, optical coherence tomography, and corneal thickness measurements. I also learned how to efficiently document findings and communicate important information to the physician in a clear and organized manner. These technical skills will help me feel more prepared when I enter PA school, but even more important was learning how to educate and connect with patients.

One of the most memorable parts of my internship was being able to observe a Physician Assistant in action. Watching her balance patient care with education and documentation helped me understand the role more deeply. Her mentorship was incredibly impactful as she took the time to explain procedures and offered advice, and eventually, she wrote my letter of recommendation that helped me get accepted into PA school. That professional relationship and the opportunity to observe someone in my future role was one of the most valuable parts of the experience.

Challenges and How I Grew from Them

One of the major challenges I faced was creating patient education materials that could reach a wide, diverse audience. Many of our patients are elderly, and some have low health literacy, so I had to be careful about my language, formatting, and how much information I included. Initially, I found myself overloading the handouts with too many medical terms or background details that were not necessary. I also struggled with how to explain how lifestyle choices, like smoking or poor diet, affect eye health without making the tone feel judgmental or shaming.

To resolve these issues, I reviewed patient education models and examples from public health sources, then simplified my language and added visuals and call-out boxes for key takeaways. I also got feedback from staff members in different departments to make sure the materials were approachable and useful. These revisions taught me to think from the patient’s perspective, what would make them want to read this, and what information would actually help them take action?

Responding to these challenges helped me grow in so many ways. I became a better communicator, more detail-oriented, and more aware of how to meet people where they are. It also reinforced the connection between public health and clinical care, reminding me that health education can have a real impact when done right.

Personal and Professional Growth

This internship was incredibly beneficial to my development. It not only helped me grow as a future healthcare provider but also gave me practical leadership experience. I was promoted to a trainer role during my time at Wagner Kapoor Institute, which meant I began training new ophthalmic technicians on clinical procedures and workflow. This responsibility challenged me to explain processes clearly and support others while still performing my own tasks. That experience taught me a lot about leadership, time management, and teamwork.

On a personal level, I gained confidence. Before this internship, I was nervous about taking on clinical responsibilities or communicating directly with providers. Now, I feel more prepared to work in a fast-paced environment and more comfortable advocating for patients. Professionally, the experience confirmed that I am on the right path. Seeing how my public health education complimented my clinical work made me excited for my future as a Physician Assistant, someone who can provide care while also educating and advocating for their patients.

Supervision and Recommendation

The supervision I received during my internship was outstanding. My preceptor was always available for questions, provided meaningful feedback, and gave me space to grow. She did not just assign me tasks, she explained the reasoning behind them and helped me connect what I was learning to the bigger picture of patient care. When I was working on patient education materials, she encouraged me to take ownership of the project and supported me through revisions and testing.

She also gave me the opportunity to observe more advanced procedures and introduced me to other providers, which helped me learn from multiple perspectives. Her guidance and support made a huge difference in my experience, and I am truly grateful for everything she taught me.

I would absolutely recommend this internship site and my preceptor to other students. The environment is professional yet supportive, and students are treated like valuable members of the team. It is a great site for anyone interested in a career in medicine or public health, especially those who want a blend of clinical and educational experience. The skills I gained, both technical and interpersonal, will stick with me as I move forward in my education and career.