Numerous projects and learning experiences have arisen during my time at Roan Mountain Medical Center. I've learned you always have to be flexible. Originally I planned on working more with the patients and the administrative side of health care here at the Medical Center, but after a few weeks I learned there are more areas that I can reach out into.
One of the first projects that I worked on is an Internet survey. During this project I not only developed the survey using skills I have learned, but I also got to administer it. After going out into the community and recording results from the survey the data showed some people use the Internet for health information, but not a large amount. A surprising discovery from the data was an assortment of people young and elderly in this rural area still use home remedies regularly. After receiving this information I now plan to research home remedies and become better educated on home remedies and the out come when using them.
Also during my internship I have developed a health observation bulletin board. On this board I put up monthly health events that are going on with information about the topic and contact information. I know this seems like I very ineffective way to spend some of my time but I feel that it is providing awareness about current health issues. I have also made multiply contacts with different organizations that help to provide information packets on the topics that I can give out to our patients
The most recent project that I have been working on is Tennessee Radon. Earlier when I mentioned being flexible this is what I was referring to. I never thought that my time at Roan Mountain Medical Center would be spent working on an environmental issue. It turns out this project has become my favorite and I have been able to make numerous contacts from local to state level concerning Radon in the Roan Mountain area. I am very excited about this project because I feel like it will be the one to impact the community most.
As to update you about my interaction with the staff, it is still limited but I have made progress. I am now familiar with each employee and their day to day tasks, and I think my relationship with them will only grow as my projects start to develop more.
I would like to keep acknowledging and thanking all the people that are making this opportunity possible for me. Thank you Big Kenny and the LoveEverybody Foundation, Dean Wykoff, and Mr. Baylor.