My time learning pediatrics under the guidance of Dr. Nicasio Arana will be one of my favorite rotations of the year. It was a very hands-on rotation where I was able to master my procedure with immunizations and blood draws. I also felt that I was making a difference in patients lives as many of them were only Spanish speaking, so being able to advocate and have a help form a treatment plan was one of the best parts of practicing medicine.

I struggled with learning certain things about pediatrics such as learned from immunization schedule and learned weight-based calculations with prescriptions as that is very important when it comes to a pediatric patient. I felt that Dr. Arana was able to show me the way that a pediatrician works and what to emphasis when it comes to the physical exam. Another challenging  concept that Dr. Arana stressed and emphasized was on how to tell an ear infection from a healthy tympanic membrane. I feel that I will continue to learn and apply what I learned to my final rotation in the emergency room.