My name is Parth Kalola and I am a second-year student in Case Western Reserve University's Master of Science in Anesthesia Program in Washington, D.C. I am currently doing a general rotation at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (MGUH). I am focusing on refining my skills in providing anesthesia for various neurological, pulmonary, vascular, orthopedic, and outpatient procedures. This rotation has given me the opportunity to utilize and apply my knowledge from my first year as an anesthesia student and allow me to perfect my techniques for intubation, IV catheter placement, arterial line placement, and drug administration as well as challenge me to use critical thinking skills.
MGUH was my first clinical rotation as a second-year student in last May, and this began my journey in considering where I would like to be placed upon graduation. I was born and raised in New Jersey, and moving to Washington, D.C. was unexpected. Since being here, I have grown fond of the city and the surrounding regions. The activities here are unlimited and endless, whether it is biking through the National Mall, sitting amongst cherry blossoms in the spring, going to Georgetown for a nice dinner and walking along the waterfront, or going to the outskirts of DC into Virginia or Maryland to explore hiking trails and wineries. I am constantly discovering new areas to explore in the city.
My initial thought in coming to the MSA Program in Washington was that this program would prepare me to handle various high-pressure situations with level-headedness. At this point in my studies, I can say that the Program has gone above and beyond my expectations in molding me into the anesthetist that I want to be.
The advice I would offer to incoming and prospective students would be to focus on the fundamentals in the first year and it will allow you to grow as a skilled anesthetist. Also, don't forget to live a little and enjoy time in this beautiful city. If you manage your time well, you should be able to fulfill your goals. Good luck!
About this post: The Student Spotlight series highlights MSA students in Cleveland, Houston, and Washington. The series is a student-led initiative, and is designed to share current student experiences with prospective students.