My name is Thao Le and I am a junior Human Biology and Neuroscience double major. I am an intern with HCMP, and am also involved in Texas Alpha Epsilon Delta, Glow Worms FRI Stream, and the Jabbi Laboratory of Affective Neurogenetics. I also founded the Texas Brain Exercise Initiative.
Describe a shadowing experience that has impacted you the most:
One of the shadowing opportunities that I’ve attended was a Dell Medical Center neurosurgery grand round with Dr. Cohen, who is a renowned neurosurgeon. During this grand round, Dr. Cohen gave a detailed lecture on pineal tumors and how to effectively operate on the pineal gland. Since this operation requires meticulous maneuvers, Dr. Cohen spent the hour lecturing to his colleagues and other medical professionals on the best approaches that should be taken when performing such an operation. Being able to weigh in on this talk, not only allowed me to witness, first-hand, the work of a neurosurgeon, but also provided me with an even greater insight into the nature of the medical field. These physicians, who are well into their careers, are still constantly growing and cultivating their own knowledge to better understand and treat their patients. Certainly an amazing field to take part in!
How has HCMP benefited your professional or individual goals?Â
From the very moment that I began working on my application for HCMP, the benefits of this organization has only stacked up! Starting from the beginning, HCMP gave me valuable feedback throughout my entire application process, particularly with my interview. Since this organization is designed to mimic the application process of medical school, this insight gave me a bit of exposure to this process, allowing me to harvest skills and amend weaknesses. Once admitted as an intern, HCMP placed me right in the middle of the inner workings of the healthcare field. Despite the pandemic, HCMP has found ways to ensure that the flow of shadowing and networking opportunities persisted. Being able to communicate with and observe physicians who are working in the field that I am pursuing provides such a meaningful and enriching experience, which truly helps me build up my momentum as a pre-med student.
What has been your favorite aspect of HCMP?
Most definitely, the people that make up this wonderful org! Being accepting into HCMP, not only gave me a wide array of opportunities to further my career, but also gave me a chance to be apart of such a tight-knit group of wonderful people. Even during a pandemic where social interactions are limited, the people of HCMP have already made me feel so supported and welcomed. It’s opportunities like this that really make the road to medicine just a bit easier.
What do you like to do in your free time?
At the beginning of the semester, I decided to get a keyboard to teach myself how to play because, why not? So, I have definitely been keeping myself busy trying to nurture this talent. As of now, I have taught myself a grand total of two songs: Zelda’s Fairy Fountain and the Harry Potter theme song. I’m trying to learn Hot Cross Buns, but that ones a little complex for me.