Daniel Shay
Major: Psychology
HCMP Role: Intern
Classification: Junior
Other Associations: American Medical Student Association (AMSA), Fun With Chemistry
Describe a shadowing experience that has impacted you the most:
I knew that I would have diverse and new experiences in HCMP, but I was truly struck by event in particular as I shadowed Dr. Logan Rencher at Dell Children’s. Not only was Dr. Rencher incredibly knowledgeable and eager to teach, his warm smile and energetic personality set patients at east as soon as he walked into the room. After five hours of frantic admits, monotonous paperwork, and stressful calls, the doctors in the Emergency Department were understandably drained. But when Dr. Rencher came to the scene, the whole floor perked up and grew more lively. I followed Dr. Rencher as he performed a lumbar puncture on a 3-month old infant, reviewed a CT scan and jaw-realignment procedure to a Spanish-speaking teenager, and consoled a worried mother as she held her child who was experiencing partial seizures. Dr. Rencher thoroughly and patiently explained his recommendations, and truly focused on the patients’ well being in an inspiring way.
How has HCMP benefited your professional or individual goals?
HCMP has been a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure to healthcare policies and inequities through discussion and shadowing, which is critical for students seeking a health-profession. Further, all HCMP members are involved in the selection of next semester’s intern class and the Health Summit, both of which are immense undertakings and require self-awareness, teamwork and leadership skills. These experiences will undoubtedly prove essential in my pursuit of a career in medicine.
What has been your favorite aspect of HCMP?
I love the camaraderie and shared sense of purpose among my fellow Interns and HCMP members. I am always learning something new at our weekly meetings, and we have fun sharing our experiences and helping each other towards the ultimate goal of becoming a doctor. It’s truly encouraging to imagine a future generation where my friends are physicians and leaders.
What do you like to do in your free time?