Emma S. ’27 Explores Medicine and Research Through Summer Experiences

This summer, Emma S. ’27 gained firsthand experience in two areas of the medical field through opportunities at Ascension St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the Yale School of Public Health. From observing complex surgeries to analyzing clinical trial data, Emma explored both the patient-facing and research sides of medicine.

During the first week of July, Emma shadowed ENT surgeon Dr. Liu Changxing at Ascension St. John Medical Center. She observed five surgeries and visited patients in the post-surgical wing before spending a day in the clinic, where she observed Dr. Liu and his staff treat approximately 30 patients. The experience gave Emma insight into both complex surgical procedures and everyday patient care, while highlighting the precision, dedication, and composure required in medicine.

“The amount of patience, dedication, and detail-work I witnessed were awe-inspiring, and I aspire to be as good of a physician as Dr. Liu in the future.”

Emma continued exploring her interest in medicine through the Young Scholars Summer Program in Biostatistics and Clinical Research (YCAS), a two-and-a-half-week program hosted by the Yale School of Public Health. During the 12-day program, she learned about data analysis, study design, R programming, and clinical trial procedures while developing a deeper understanding of collaboration in scientific research.

The course split the students into groups to examine different topics. As part of the Bright Bodies group, Emma analyzed data from a clinical trial examining an adolescent prediabetes lifestyle treatment plan compared with standard care. Using RStudio, her group cleaned and analyzed data, examined statistical measures, and presented their findings in a 16-minute presentation. Beyond the technical skills, Emma valued working alongside other students who share her passion for science.

“Overall, YCAS was an amazing experience that taught me both hard and soft skills, provided invaluable opportunities to visit facilities I otherwise may not have been able to access, and allowed me to make friends who share my passion for science. I can’t wait to apply what I’ve learned to my future endeavors.”