Palmetto Health USC Orthopedics- Sarah Smith
Sarah Smith is a rising senior and a member of the swimming and diving team for USC. Smith specializes in the longer distance events and has been a key contributor since her arrival freshman year. Smith is majoring in Exercise Science and minoring in Psychology.
Smith is interning with Palmetto Health USC Orthopedics. She has been working closely with Chay Malvasio who is a physician’s assistant for Palmetto Health USC Orthopedics. Smith has also been able to shadow some of the USC Sports Medicine and Orthopedics with Dr. Guy and Dr. Mazoue. Due to the intense level of skill needed to be in this position, Smith has to do a lot of shadow to follow all the guidelines and rules that pertain to dealing with patients.
Smith has mainly been working in the clinic with Chay and the other doctors observing injections, MRI and Cat Scan readings, and X-Ray readings. Smith has also been able to watch physical exams such as putting on casts, splints, and stitches. Smith also has to do some not so glam things around the office such as rooming patients, faxing, and helping the doctors out with whatever they need.
Smith said that this internship has already taught her so much starting from her very first day. It has opened her eyes into the healthcare field and what goes into patient care. Although she cannot read MRIs, X-Rays, and Cat Scans she has been able to learn what to look for when reading them just by observing how the doctors react. Smith has learned a lot of conservative orthopedic treatments as well as surgical treatments.
One of the things that Smith has enjoyed the most is learning about the freedoms and limitations there are with being a physician’s assistant compared to being a doctor. Smith expressed how thankful she is for this opportunity and how great of an experience this is for her. Smith plans to become a physician’s assistant in her future and this internship is a perfectly learning experience to get her on track! Smith has always had great work ethic and drive in the pool for countless laps and there’s no doubt that that won’t carry over into her career.
