Natalia Rokicki

Fordham University provides students with a rigorous academic environment that is needed to prepare for a career in the healthcare field. However, another vital step in preparing for this career is the experience that students obtain while gaining clinical experience that encompasses patient interaction, exposure to the medical field and settings, as well as vital knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the human body.

The Fordham-SBH Orthopedic Volunteering-Shadowing Program was inspired the experience that I have received at St.Barnabas Hospital and will provide students on the pre-health track with the possibility of shadowing doctors and surgeons within the orthopedic department at St.Barnabas Hospital. Thus, this is not limited to pre-med students as students who are pre-pa, pre-dental and pre-nursing are able to also take advantage of this opportunity. The students taking part in this program will first complete a volunteering segment of the program prior to the second segment which consists of shadowing.

Majority of my clinical work is centered in the orthopedic clinic at St.Barnabas Hospital. I have been shadowing numerous orthopedic surgeons including Dr.Bavaro, Dr.Singanamala, Dr.Watkins, Dr.Klion, Dr.Su, as well as Dr.Silverman, and each have taught me a plethora of valuable skills, knowledge, as well as advice and aided in fueling my passion for medicine. I had begun shadowing in the summer of 2023. During this summer I quickly became accustomed to the clinical setting and was exposed to patient care first hand. I often helped with preparing the room for steroid injections in order to reduce inflammation in the joint that is affected (shoulder, knee, etc) by getting the necessary supplies and also learning the proper technique. I also aided in performing minor procedures such as suture and staple removal under supervision, wound care by rewrapping/rebandaging surgical incision sites, as well as casting. While shadowing here my phenomenal mentors also took the time to teach me anatomy of the musculoskeletal system which provided me a phenomenal foundation for Anatomy and Physiology, as well as learning how to read x-rays and MRI scans. While in the examination room, I also observe and learn the various tests that are done to assess for certain conditions. While shadowing I have also observed numerous surgeries such as hip replacements, knee replacements and arthroscopies, acetabular fracture repairs, femoral fracture repairs, etc. Thus, I am also working on a shadowing program between Fordham and SBH that will hopefully be finalized soon which will provide students with similar opportunities as I truly believe my experience fostered my love for medicine. I will also continue to shadow there during my gap year as well as taking part in the research that SBH has to offer.