I have gone through 3 completely different rotations, from outpatient pediatrics to neonatal intensive care to pediatric surgery. In outpatient pediatrics, we were exposed to patients from many different cultural groups, and I was struck by how important it was to adapt and change my approach toward the different populations at the clinic. Many of the patients coming there were those that could not afford private medical care, and most were on Medicaid or some sort of reimbursement plan. Moreover, many did not speak English. A large majority of the patients in that clinic were of the Bengali region in India, along with many from China. The contrast between these different population groups was evident, but I was lucky to have multiple translators on site, and I was able to utilize these services to help give the best medical care I could. This experience constantly reminded of my experiences in Israel, when I was required to speak to patients that did not speak English, along with those of different cultural groups that had vastly different traditions. My fellow classmates along with myself had to learn how to approach patients in Israel that were of different faiths, and we also had to figure out ways of alternatively communicating with our patients. The challenges I faced their taught me more of how to approach my patients here that do not speak English, and I am incredibly thankful for that knowledge.
After my outpatient experience, I moved on to the neonatal intensive care unit or NICU. The Maimonides nursery is one of the busiest in the US with over 7000 births per year. That being said, the NICU receives many patients that are born premature and/or with complex congenital disorders requiring immediate treatment. The advanced health care present, allowed me to learn how to critically manage a patient, sometimes on my own. I can remember one time in the unit when I was escorting a patient back to the NICU from imaging when the patient stopped breathing. I was able to utilize the teachings I received, not only from my senior residents and attendings at Maimonides on how to resuscitate a child, but also from my extensive NICU experience as a sub-intern at Bnei Tzion Hospital, as well as my experiences with Itay Shavit in the pediatric ER at Rambam Healthcare Campus. On my own, I was able to stimulate the baby, utilize oxygen, and return the baby to the NICU, and to make sure he received adequate care. My attendings and fellow residents helped me, and the baby went home several days later with no distress. The quick recovery of this patient was astounding, and it makes me proud to be a pediatric resident. Moreover, the knowledge I received from my experiences here at Maimonides so far have taught me how to persist and learn as a new doctor. I see the background knowledge I learned in medical school at the Technion coming to use every day, and I am so thankful that I am now able to able to apply it to help save lives. That is the reason that I went into pediatrics, and it gives me even more reason to be proud of coming from the Technion.
My next rotation is in the pediatric ER. Maimonides is in the heart of Brooklyn, and 1 of 2 major hospitals in this borough. No doubt, this rotation will be busy and exhausting, yet exhilarating. I have spent a lot of time in the pediatric ER in the past, specifically at Rambam. I am curious to see how the rotations turns out. I look forward to letting you all know soon. Until then,
David Steffin, M.D.
Pediatric Resident, PL-1
Maimonides Infants and Children's Hospital of Brooklyn
Technion American Medical Program, 2012