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November 2025

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This past month has been the busiest for me so far. I attended the American Heart Association Heart Walk with a few of my classmates, where we volunteered alongside Tulane’s neurology team. Our booth offered fun and educational activities for kids, including brain hats, coloring books, and displays of animal brains. We also taught them how to make neurons out of pipe cleaners. I participated in the two-mile walk around Lafreniere Park, and overall, it was inspiring to see survivors of cardiac trauma and their family members coming together in support of heart health. My experience working with Freestanding Communities has also been unique and meaningful. I’ve been able to support underserved members of the community by providing care and creating a safe, welcoming space. It’s uplifting to be part of an organization that focuses on meeting the needs of unhoused individuals. Knowing that I’m making a difference in my local community feels incredibly rewarding. I’ve truly enjoyed my time ...
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October 2025

This month, I began my training with Freestanding Communities. During the first week, I became certified in several essential skills, including bleeding control and opioid reversal. In the second week, I learned how to take a patient’s medical history and accurately document it in an electronic health record. Having worked as a medical scribe for several years, charting came naturally to me, though it was helpful to receive a refresher. I also gained new hands-on experience by learning how to take vital signs, manually measure blood pressure, and perform glucose testing. Most recently, I was trained in point-of-care screenings and wound care. Additionally, we reviewed the fundamentals of ECG interpretation, which reinforced concepts I have been studying in class.  The autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular modules have been the most challenging for me. However, I appreciate how the material connects across topics and reinforces the practical applications we learn. I’ve gained ...
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September Blog 2025

Over the past few weeks, I enjoyed the inflammation module the most. I am able to identify which medications work as an anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and/or analgesic. My perception of pharmacology has changed significantly. The lectures have given me a greater appreciation for pharmacology overall. It is interesting how our bodies respond to DAMPS and PAMPS with an inflammatory response. However, individuals with a compromised immune system may have difficulties with a response. For example, people with autoimmune diseases have a problem with inflammation and need medication for management. I have an extended family history of rheumatoid arthritis, so learning about it was informative and helpful. A lot of their treatments for RA changed often due to inflammation levels or side effects. I realized how understanding pharmacology is necessary in our daily lives, whether it's treating symptoms at home with over the counter medication or visiting the doctor's office for a presc...
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