Recently, senior Jamie Kavanagh has started an internship at Advanced Eye Care and Aesthetics, working alongside surgeons.

     The facility is located in South Bel Air, and it hosts an optometry and ophthalmology wing. However Kavanaghs main advisor, Dr. Feulner does her surgeries in a different location, since the OR is located in another building. 

     Kavanagh works for an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) and optometrists (regular eye doctors who can’t perform surgery).

In the office, her daily tasks are basic patient work-ups like checking eye pressure, vision, and asking basic vision questions. ”I also act as the diagnostic technician, which uses machinery that takes photos and measurements of the eye to check on the interior health,” Kavanagh describes. 

     Regardless of her internship, Kavanagh’s dream job is a physician’s assistant. ”I love working alongside doctors, surgeons, and other technicians because it gives me the perspective of the many faces of the medical field,” she describes. 

     A lesson Kavanagh has learned is, “how to put on a kind attitude even when [she’s] extremely stressed or pressed for time, because [she has] to always be kind to patients and coworkers.” 

     In addition, she’s also learned that when in doubt, ask questions. “Most likely the people around you want to see you succeed and maintain a positive environment,” Kavanagh explains. 

     “This internship prepared me for a real career in the medical field by allowing me to see the administrative aspects of a doctors office, the behind-the-scenes part of basic office work, and how all the medical professionals’ work comes together,” she shares. 

     On this journey, Kavanagh says she has also learned to respect receptionists because “their job is much more complicated than it seems.” Her favorite aspects of being a healthcare worker are the patient interactions and how she is constantly challenged.

     “I love talking with patients and making friends with people that share the love of science,” Kavanagh says. Since the start of her internship, she’s seen a few cases of corneal abrasions (surface eye wound), metallic foreign bodies in eyes, or diseases like glaucoma or macular degeneration. 

     “I’ve been interested in the medical field for as long as I can remember, and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to work in it at this age,” she states.