ACU Body & Soul Program - Shadowing
After a student's first semester at ACU, Body & Soul students are matched with a Christian physician/dentist to get a first-hand "day in the life" experience. This provides an excellent way for students to evaluate their career choice and identify areas of greatest interest. To participate in this opportunity requires a 3.5 GPA as well as being part of the Body & Soul Program.
Here is what Abilene Christian University Body & Soul students say about their shadowing experience:
- Kate Huggins, Biochemistry, pre-pharmacy: When I walked into the O.R. last Friday, I was very anxious about what I might be seeing. I was struck by the faces of the parents of the children that were waiting to go into the operating room. I marveled at some patients' unwavering courage as they were wheeled into the rooms. Finally, the lights were bright and the room was cold. I felt the cold breath of panic on my neck as the doctor entered and the patient went to sleep. I felt like a person at the base of a roller coaster they have never been on before and I buckled my seatbelt for the ride. I was overtaken in the next few minutes because I was intrigued by what I was seeing. This shadowing opportunity has been the experience of a lifetime. I have seen the new pharmacy school in town, talked at length with another pharmacist about my goals, watched a pharmacist save patients thousands of dollars, and finally, observed surgery. While all of the pharmacy things made me think that I could probably do that; when I was in surgery, I thought that maybe, I could handle the life of a doctor. I have always sworn it off because of the time constraints and my concerns about having a family. I am struggling again now with what I want to do because I feel like God may have used this opportunity to open my eyes to something that He wants me to do. This experience has opened my heart to new possibilities and I cannot wait to see what God will do in my future. At the end of my freshman year, I am reflecting on how much I have changed and grown up in this year and it is incredible. It is truly remarkable that so many amazing things can happen in one year to one person. I know that this is just the beginning
- Brenda Daniels, Biochemistry, pre-med: Body & Soul has been a great encouragement in my journey as a pre-med student. I was able to observe several surgeries and was able to feel the atmosphere of the O.R. I tried to think of the people in there not just as healthcare providers or patients, but also as people. As for the patient, it was very interesting to see that what I was observing during the surgery was the open body of an actual person, friend or a family member. There is so much more to see than just a disease, just an organ, but a person that is here and trusting they will be cared for completely.
- Heath Fellhauer, biochemistry, pre-dental: The shadowing experience was amazing for the first time. I loved it sooooo much! Thank you so much for this opportunity, Terri. This has encouraged me to work even harder toward making the grades I need to make to get into dental school! I shadow tomorrow again from 1-5 and I can't wait to see what is in store for me!
- Shannon Rose, pre-med: Before I began shadowing, I had a firm belief that I wanted to pursue medicine as a career. As this semester has progressed, and as I have shadowed a pediatrician, my belief can be seen as a reality. The Body & Soul program has shown me that while great effort is needed to be a pre-med student, the end reward brings great satisfaction. As I followed the doctor throughout his busy work schedule of standardized check-ups and diagnoses of different illnesses, I witnessed a wisdom that is only gained through years of school and hard work. I not only learned what is practical to do when dealing with an unruly child, but also what to expect as I ready myself for the future world of MCATs and medical schools. While, they are still over a year away, it has helped to see where all my hard work this year is going towards. As all my questions over how to diagnose a particular illness - whether it be by symptoms or history of the patient - were answered, I began to gain a small amount of insight into the world of medicine and what it is truly like to be a pediatrician. The Body & Soul program at ACU has helped open my eyes to the world of medicine more than before, and without it I may not have had the necessary motivation to work hard to continue to strive toward my ultimate goal of becoming an ICU pediatrician.
For more information about ACU's Body & Soul program contact Terri Aldriedge R.N., B.S.N., Body & Soul program director.
