MedChristineOh

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Christine Oh

Crean Lutheran High School
Class of 2027

Diagnosed a real patient from the Nagari Medical Clinic & Maternity Ward in Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Developed a public health campaign for communities in Sub-Saharan Africa for implementation in 2024.

Demonstrated mastery of clinical skills including laparoscopy, suturing, and venipuncture procedures.

Learn more about Christine here.

Christine Oh is extremely thrilled to participate in the Advanced Medical & Public Health Internship this summer. She is looking forward to meeting new people and working with people who have common interests with her. Christine is definitely grateful for the opportunity she has gained and wishes to discover more about the medical field.

Always enthusiastic about all school activities she takes part in, Christine is a studious scholar from Crean Lutheran High School. As a freshman, she is currently taking five honors classes and one AP course, with all As and A-pluses. Currently, Christine is a Junior Varsity tennis player from her school team. She is a part of the Biology Olympiad team, Math Olympiad team, and Model United Nations team. Christine is also a secretary board member of her school’s Key Club, providing resources for her club members with all her abilities. Outside of school, Christine devotes most of her time to music. She is a part of Pacific Symphony Youth Concert Band and Junior Chamber Music. Christine spends the rest of her time volunteering at the Discovery Cube Science Center and Love in Music, teaching young children and motivating them all the time.

Christine eagerly awaits for her personal growth, and the opportunity to learn more and thrive regarding healthcare services. As much as her dream is to become a doctor and provide low-cost service for everyone, she aspires to gain valuable information from this program.

Read more about Christine’s achievements here.

My Diagnosis

In the Advanced Medical & Public Health Internship I had the privilege to collaborate with leading medical professionals from around the world and gain hands-on experience in patient examination, evaluation, and diagnosis.

Using telehealth technology, I connected with a clinic and maternity ward in Bauchi State, Nigeria, where I engaged with patients in real time. Under the supervision of a Nigerian doctor, I applied my diagnostic training to address the four leading causes of death in Nigeria: malaria, typhoid fever, nutritional anemia, and acute respiratory infections (ARI).

The patients I worked with were local residents of Bauchi State, many of whom could not normally afford medical care, earning $1.25 per day or less. In exchange for their participation, all their treatments were funded by Leadership Initiatives.

In 2024, Leadership Initiatives successfully funded the treatment of all patients involved in this program.

My Public Health
Campaign

I had the opportunity to learn about four of the most critical diseases in the developing world from esteemed medical professionals, including Dr. Aminu Yusuf and Dr. Aishatu Adamu, medical doctors and public health experts in Nigeria. 

Under their guidance, I deepened my understanding of the signs and symptoms associated with various stages and severities of malaria, typhoid fever, acute respiratory infections (ARIs), and nutritional anemia. Additionally, I developed cultural competencies and a global perspective, enabling me to assess the structural and social determinants of health underlying these diseases.

Collaborating directly with development and public health experts, I helped create an impactful educational public health campaign tailored to the needs of underserved communities in Bauchi. The campaign focused on Typhoid and promoting positive behavioral changes. Throughout the internship, I engaged in rigorous research and analysis to ensure the campaign’s effectiveness and relevance to the local population.

The process of developing the public health campaign was both challenging and rewarding. I conducted in-depth research on prevalent health concerns in the Gwallagan Mayaka and Kandahar communities, identifying key areas where intervention and awareness were essential for improving public health outcomes. Working with mentors and fellow interns, I formulated innovative strategies to engage the community and ensure the campaign’s messages resonated with the intended audience.

Throughout the internship, our ultimate goal was to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being, fostering lasting improvements in community health.  

As the internship concluded, I had the opportunity to showcase the culmination of my work and research. Presenting my research proposal about Typhoid Transmission & Symtoms to a panel of esteemed judges allowed me to demonstrate the depth of my understanding and commitment to the cause. The experience not only bolstered my presentation and communication skills but also reaffirmed my passion for public health and the potential positive impact such initiatives can have on communities around the world.

Clinical Skills Training

Phlebotomy

I trained in phlebotomy using a realistic arm simulator, practicing needle placement to draw blood from veins that mimic real vein-wall resistance.

With guidance from a medical facilitator, I refined my technique and improved my communication skills for interacting with future patients.

Laparoscopy

I studied laparoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure that allows physicians to examine and assess the abdomen or pelvis through small incisions and cameras.

After understanding the technology’s function, I had the unique opportunity to perform a simulated laparoscopy, applying my knowledge in a practical setting.

Intubation

Under the instruction of EMT professionals, I learned various emergency resuscitation techniques, including manual esophageal intubation and the use of a manual resuscitation airway mask.

The EMTs taught me the appropriate scenarios for different resuscitation and breathing assistance techniques, as well as the correct equipment to use.

Internship Highlights

During this internship, I had the privilege of learning from top medical professionals across various fields, including surgery, emergency medicine, and medical research. 

Among these experts were Dr. Oni, a senior program director at the Center for Global Health Practice and Impact at Georgetown University. Additionally, Dr. James Giordano, Chief of Georgetown University’s Neuroethics Studies Program, shared his valuable knowledge and passion for neuroscience.  

These interactions gave me a comprehensive understanding of the responsibilities associated with each medical specialty and guidance on pursuing these careers.

Under the mentorship of Dr. Aminu Yusuf and Dr. Aishatu Adamu, I developed essential skills in patient interviewing and disease investigation.  

Throughout the program, I honed my abilities in collecting, interpreting, and critically analyzing patient data. Their guidance significantly enhanced my capacity to synthesize and evaluate information, which is crucial for the diagnostic process. These exercises also improved my communication skills for effective patient evaluation.

Additionally, their expertise provided me with a comprehensive understanding of current practices in Nigerian medicine. Meeting and learning from real patients gave me a deep appreciation for the lived experiences of individuals in Nigeria, influencing my perspective on implementing effective strategies in my campaign to combat infectious diseases.

During the course of the internship, I had the invaluable opportunity to acquire fundamental clinical skills that have significantly enhanced my medical knowledge and expertise. Among the essential skills I learned were taking vital signs and conducting comprehensive neurological exams.

When it came to discussing vital signs, we delved into various methods of accurately measuring a patient’s pulse. Through hands-on practice and guidance from experienced mentors, I mastered each method, gaining the confidence to calculate heart rates in patients of all ages and conditions. 

The ability to accurately take vital signs and perform neurological exams ensures that patients receive the necessary care promptly, enhancing their chances of successful treatment and recovery. 

One of the internship’s most interactive activities involved learning and practicing multiple suturing techniques on a human skin model.  

Under the expert guidance of medical professionals, I delved into the intricacies of suturing, mastering various techniques and understanding their applications in different medical scenarios. This experience provided invaluable insights into the essential tasks performed by doctors and nurses, highlighting the importance of suturing as a fundamental skill in patient care and wound management. As I practiced with dedication and received constructive feedback from mentors, my confidence grew in handling the delicate and precise aspects of medicine.  

Additionally, the internship offered opportunities to explore other medical procedures, including the application of plaster casts. These activities broadened my understanding of the multifaceted nature of medicine and illuminated the diverse skill set required in healthcare settings.