So my dream summer internship in California has come to an end... it hasn't quite sunken in just yet, and I have a feeling that it won't for a little while. I had the greatest time imaginable, and I learned so much more than I had anticipated. The challenge of moving across the country and tackling unfamilar tasks has taught me a lot about myself. I'm really pleased with my experience overall.
My last two days were spent at the clinic, and they were pretty uneventful. I had gotten in touch with Kate of FAP on Monday morning, and she was extremely pleased with what I had left her. I spent the rest of Monday completing an "internship evaluation" for Dr. Estes. I just basically wrote and reflected on what I had done over the summer (quite similar to this blog actually, just a bit more formal). I'm really happy with how the paper turned out. I plan on sending it onto Tim & Kathy Statton, the Juniata trustee/alum family who set up my internship, in the near future. The paper also served as a great introduction/overview of the binder I put together containing all of the materials I had completed for the clinic. I printed and organized all of my work for the website, the clinic operations manual, and the annual fundraiser. Having actual printed documents makes my work seem all the more real. Poliana can refer to it whenever she needs to whether it be for editing purposes or anything else. I wrote quite a few more policies than she had thought so she was very pleased. :)
After our little wine excursion didn't go so well, I decided to spend Monday afternoon contacting wineries by email. I drafted a formal email requesting the donation for the fundraiser and then attached an individualized letter for each establishment. I probably contacted about 15 wineries, including a few located here in Marin county. I was sort of operating on the "worst they can say is no" philosophy and just gave it a shot. Then, on Tuesday afternoon, Poliana received a call from one of the wineries. THEY'RE DONATING A CASE OF WINE! We were both so so so happy. She was so pleased that I took the time to do this as she doesn't have the time herself. I'm smiling just thinking about how happy we were. We hope to have at least 3 cases for the event so this is a huge contribution.
Other than the wine excitement, Tuesday was nothing special. I continued to proofread my paper and other materials before handing them over to Poliana. At the end of the day, it sure didn't feel like I may never step foot in that office again. One of the physicians sent me off with some delicious red velvet cake from her dog's birthday party to ease the pain.
Poliana and I didn't have to say goodbye just yet. I was dreading this moment more than anything. We had basically spent everyday for the past 7 weeks side by side, and it's already weird not having her to talk to. She is one of the kindest, smartest, most reliable people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. At the end of the day, we ran an some errands together and then she dropped me off at home. Goodbyes are the worst!! It was so so sad. I kept it nice and short for fear of tears. If I ever make the trip out to Northern California again, she'll be the first person I visit.
I know I said this already, but I really really cannot believe it's over. I am so thankful for the amazing opportunity, and I know I will never forget it. Thanks for reading!!!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Week 7: Winding Down & Wrapping Up
This past week was spent primarily wrapping things up. I've been editing my materials for both the clinic and JHS in an attempt to provide them with the most complete and perfect product. Poliana and I took a mid-week break to work on the annual fundraiser/explore wine country.
I completed all of the clinicians and Poliana's abbreviated bios for the TSC's website. I actually had a pretty good time with this task. It was both interesting and challenging to play back these twenty minute interviews with the staff members and then compile and compact the information into a short paragraph. The clinicians are all of similar age, and they were in the medical field when the HIV/AIDS epidemic began to emerge. It's really interesting for me to listen to their recollections of the time and how they got to where they are today. I also really love hearing about what they actually do for a living. Two of them work for pharmaceutical companies and another is a professor of medicine at UCSF. There's a lot of knowledge of HIV/AIDS at the Tom Steel Clinic, and it shows in the most advanced care they are able to provide to their patients.
Since the clinic is closed on Wednesdays, Poliana and I took the day to travel up to Sonoma County to inquire about wine donations for the annual fundraiser. We stopped by small, family-owned wineries and some big named ones as well, however their reaction was not as positive as the local businesses had been. It seems as though they get a lot of requests for this sort of thing. Many replied by saying they had already reached their donation quota for the year. We were a little bummed, but we had to give it a try. We probably visited about 20 wineries and 8 took our information. So all in all, it wasn't a complete fail. We enjoyed a nice lunch in the cutest town of Calistoga, and our way back to Marin we stopped by Grgich Hills Winery for my first wine tasting experience. We got a tour of the beautiful vineyard and cellar and sampled some really great wines. A great way to end the day!
I also wrapped up all of my work for Jail Health Services throughout the week. I needed to make a few edits to video script based on the feedback from Dr. Goldenson. I organized the materials into a binder: an outline of the video, notes from the meetings I had had, the script, and all of my transcribed interviews. I dropped the packet and electronic copies off at the FAP office on Thursday afternoon but neither Kate or Isela were around. I will probably call the office sometime soon to see if there is anything else they would like from me.
I can't believe I only have two days left. I have no idea where the time has gone. I'm extremely pleased with all that I've learned and accomplished in the short 7 weeks. I'll be sure to savor the next two days of work and life in Northern California. It'll be bittersweet to have to leave.
I completed all of the clinicians and Poliana's abbreviated bios for the TSC's website. I actually had a pretty good time with this task. It was both interesting and challenging to play back these twenty minute interviews with the staff members and then compile and compact the information into a short paragraph. The clinicians are all of similar age, and they were in the medical field when the HIV/AIDS epidemic began to emerge. It's really interesting for me to listen to their recollections of the time and how they got to where they are today. I also really love hearing about what they actually do for a living. Two of them work for pharmaceutical companies and another is a professor of medicine at UCSF. There's a lot of knowledge of HIV/AIDS at the Tom Steel Clinic, and it shows in the most advanced care they are able to provide to their patients.
Since the clinic is closed on Wednesdays, Poliana and I took the day to travel up to Sonoma County to inquire about wine donations for the annual fundraiser. We stopped by small, family-owned wineries and some big named ones as well, however their reaction was not as positive as the local businesses had been. It seems as though they get a lot of requests for this sort of thing. Many replied by saying they had already reached their donation quota for the year. We were a little bummed, but we had to give it a try. We probably visited about 20 wineries and 8 took our information. So all in all, it wasn't a complete fail. We enjoyed a nice lunch in the cutest town of Calistoga, and our way back to Marin we stopped by Grgich Hills Winery for my first wine tasting experience. We got a tour of the beautiful vineyard and cellar and sampled some really great wines. A great way to end the day!
I also wrapped up all of my work for Jail Health Services throughout the week. I needed to make a few edits to video script based on the feedback from Dr. Goldenson. I organized the materials into a binder: an outline of the video, notes from the meetings I had had, the script, and all of my transcribed interviews. I dropped the packet and electronic copies off at the FAP office on Thursday afternoon but neither Kate or Isela were around. I will probably call the office sometime soon to see if there is anything else they would like from me.
I can't believe I only have two days left. I have no idea where the time has gone. I'm extremely pleased with all that I've learned and accomplished in the short 7 weeks. I'll be sure to savor the next two days of work and life in Northern California. It'll be bittersweet to have to leave.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
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| I was able to get my hands on a few of the super staged photos of Poliana and myself at the clinic. These were a couple that didn't make the cut for the Juniata publication. |
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| We're smiling because we feel so silly :) It's also pretty ironic because the two of us would never normally be found in this room together. I'd also never pop a squat on the exam table. Looks kind of good though? Photo props to Douglas Zimmerman |
Week 6
My weeks are starting to really blend together for whatever reason and recalling the past week of work is proving to be way more difficult than usual. Time continues to move astonishingly fast. Less than two weeks left! :(
Monday was a pretty standard day at the clinic. I took some time to transcribe my interview from Friday afternoon, a task that I've come to despise. Poliana and myself also began to do some follow-up on the donations we had requested from local businesses. We have already heard back from one bakery and two grocery stores, Whole Foods and Safeway. Poliana is so so excited about the arrangements being made so far in advance. We have a plate 45 mini fruit tarts and $200 in gift cards for the fundraiser already!
Tuesday I spent the morning in the city. I had another interview with Tanya Mera, director of Jail Aftercare Services (JAS). JAS is a branch of Jail Psych Services that specializes in re-entry services and mental health care linkages with community clinics for severely mentally ill inmates being released. They mostly work with inmates who have been referred to them by the behavioral health court. She was extremely personable and informative and gave me a lot of input on what she would expect to see in the video. She made a really good suggestion of including a "how to stay healthy in jail" portion.
After the interview, I had a meeting with Kate and Isela of FAP on what my next steps should be, as I had reached a stand still and don't have too much time left. I was so nervous. I personally had felt that I could have done so much more in terms of the video. I went over all of the interviews with them, what I had learned, and the script I had for the video so far. They were so impressed with all that I had accomplished so far. They reassured me that compared to what they had at the beginning of my internship (nothing) that now they have a really solid basis from which this video can be created. Another meeting was scheduled with Kate and Dr. Goldenson for the end of the week, and then Isela took me into the jail to show me more of it. She took me through the intake process so I could get the idea how what the inmates have been through before they move into their housing pods for orientation. They go through two different medical intake screenings during intake.
The clinic's graphic designer is finally ready to take on updating the website with my material! He figured out the best way to make the changes I had suggested and is in the process of doing so. All of the material I had prepared thus far is now in his possession. I spent a good deal of time this week working on writing each clinician's bio. That will be the next thing I send onto him by the end of this next week.
In preparing for my meeting with Dr. Goldenson (director of JHS) and Kate on Friday, I worked extensively on my video script taking in the consideration the input Kate and Isela had given me earlier in the week. I was excited to get Dr. Goldenson's feedback as well as hear how he pictured this whole video panning out. He too was pleased with what I had accomplished. Our meeting focused on how to actually get the video produced. They are going to look into the possibility of partnering with one of the local universities' film production departments. I hope it can be done.
Despite there not being an actual video at the moment, I am really pleased with the information I was able to gather for JHS. In completing a great portion of the planning process, someone can just pick up with what I've done and run with it. Sometime this next week, I'll have one last meeting with Kate and hand everything over to her, all of my interviews and the edited script. All in all, it was a fantastic week.
Monday was a pretty standard day at the clinic. I took some time to transcribe my interview from Friday afternoon, a task that I've come to despise. Poliana and myself also began to do some follow-up on the donations we had requested from local businesses. We have already heard back from one bakery and two grocery stores, Whole Foods and Safeway. Poliana is so so excited about the arrangements being made so far in advance. We have a plate 45 mini fruit tarts and $200 in gift cards for the fundraiser already!
Tuesday I spent the morning in the city. I had another interview with Tanya Mera, director of Jail Aftercare Services (JAS). JAS is a branch of Jail Psych Services that specializes in re-entry services and mental health care linkages with community clinics for severely mentally ill inmates being released. They mostly work with inmates who have been referred to them by the behavioral health court. She was extremely personable and informative and gave me a lot of input on what she would expect to see in the video. She made a really good suggestion of including a "how to stay healthy in jail" portion.
After the interview, I had a meeting with Kate and Isela of FAP on what my next steps should be, as I had reached a stand still and don't have too much time left. I was so nervous. I personally had felt that I could have done so much more in terms of the video. I went over all of the interviews with them, what I had learned, and the script I had for the video so far. They were so impressed with all that I had accomplished so far. They reassured me that compared to what they had at the beginning of my internship (nothing) that now they have a really solid basis from which this video can be created. Another meeting was scheduled with Kate and Dr. Goldenson for the end of the week, and then Isela took me into the jail to show me more of it. She took me through the intake process so I could get the idea how what the inmates have been through before they move into their housing pods for orientation. They go through two different medical intake screenings during intake.
The clinic's graphic designer is finally ready to take on updating the website with my material! He figured out the best way to make the changes I had suggested and is in the process of doing so. All of the material I had prepared thus far is now in his possession. I spent a good deal of time this week working on writing each clinician's bio. That will be the next thing I send onto him by the end of this next week.
In preparing for my meeting with Dr. Goldenson (director of JHS) and Kate on Friday, I worked extensively on my video script taking in the consideration the input Kate and Isela had given me earlier in the week. I was excited to get Dr. Goldenson's feedback as well as hear how he pictured this whole video panning out. He too was pleased with what I had accomplished. Our meeting focused on how to actually get the video produced. They are going to look into the possibility of partnering with one of the local universities' film production departments. I hope it can be done.
Despite there not being an actual video at the moment, I am really pleased with the information I was able to gather for JHS. In completing a great portion of the planning process, someone can just pick up with what I've done and run with it. Sometime this next week, I'll have one last meeting with Kate and hand everything over to her, all of my interviews and the edited script. All in all, it was a fantastic week.
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