Dozens of 麻豆原创 medical and nursing students have trained at 麻豆原创 Lake Nona Hospital in its first year of operation 鈥� with more rotations planned.
Opened on March 1, 2021, the hospital is a joint venture between the 麻豆原创 College of Medicine and HCA Healthcare, the nation鈥檚 largest hospital organization. During that time it has gained national recognition among HCA hospitals for quality of care and patient satisfaction. And it has been steadily growing in its mission to be an educational site for 麻豆原创 healthcare students.
鈥淲e now have learners from all years of medical school training in obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, neurology, general surgery and emergency medicine. And our educational footprint will continue to grow as our hospital grows,鈥� says Jeffrey LaRochelle, associate dean for academic affairs. 鈥溌槎乖� Lake Nona Hospital is more than just another teaching hospital. It is a growing academic medical center that is being developed in concert with the 麻豆原创 College of Medicine from the foundation up.鈥�
麻豆原创 medical students Katelyn Lewis and Tyler Daprano watched for two years as the 18,000-square-foot, 64-bed hospital was built next to the College of Medicine. On its first day open, the hospital delivered twins and its birthing and delivery facilities were soon ready 鈥� earlier than anticipated 鈥� for 麻豆原创 medical and nursing students for learning.
Lewis was the first medical student to do her obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN) clerkship at the hospital, describing the experience as 鈥渆xciting and exhilarating.鈥� Within two short weeks she went from triaging and coaching patients to suturing, observing C-sections and assisting with deliveries.
鈥淚t was so nerve-wracking and emotional delivering a baby,鈥� says Lewis, who stayed with her patients overnight offering support and comfort during long labors. 鈥淎 lot of patients were around my age so I could relate to them. It was a great experience helping them through a difficult time.鈥�
As a male, Deprano says he was nervous going into OB/GYN training and made sure to introduce himself to the patient and ask permission to attend the birth. He helped deliver three babies during his four-week rotation at 麻豆原创 Lake Nona Hospital. His job was transitioning the baby from the doctor to the nurses and helping to clamp and cut the umbilical cord.
鈥淭he first thing on my mind was, don鈥檛 drop the baby and to support his head,鈥� he says.
Both students say the experience helped hone their clinical skills, and taught them to be more empathetic and understanding of a patient鈥檚 needs.
Kelly Peterson is one of more than 50 麻豆原创 nursing students who have done clinical training at 麻豆原创 Lake Nona Hospital.
鈥淭he most enjoyable part of my training was having the opportunity to go to the surgical unit and seeing a robotics surgery and being involved in the pre-op and postop nursing care for that patient,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he on-the-job experience gave me opportunities to do some direct patient care and learn how to coordinate resources for patients with complex needs.鈥�
Students say they appreciated the eagerness of hospital staff to teach them and get feedback on the hospital as an educational site.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very student centric and everyone was so welcoming,鈥� says Lewis of her attending physician and nurses. 鈥淎ll the physicians were so eager to teach, some had not worked with students before and were very supportive and guided me on what to do. I loved working with all the staff.鈥�
鈥淗aving the hospital here is definitely going to be a draw for students,鈥� says Deprano.
Wendy H. Brandon, the hospital鈥檚 leader, agreed.
鈥淎s our partnership between 麻豆原创 and HCA Healthcare grows, we look forward to impacting the community for years to come as we host future students and develop our healthcare professionals of tomorrow,鈥� she says.
