SYEDA ZAINAB HASSAN

Medical Billing and Documentation for Dr. Pedro Juan Gonzalez, Physiatrist, Chicago

• My duties Include:
• Recording patient history, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment plans in the electronic health record (EHR) system
• Navigating the EHR to input, retrieve, and update patient information
• Ensuring accurate coding of diagnoses and procedures for billing and compliance
• Maintaining patient confidentiality by adhering to HIPAA and privacy regulations
• Preparing physician notes, pre-rounding list and documents for review and signature, ensuring timely completion
• Training new medical scribes, leading a team of 10, and ensuring smooth workflow
• This role enhanced my understanding of medical documentation and billing processes

Clinical Observership at the Pulmonary and Critical Care Department, St. Francis Hospital Tulsa, OK

My role included:

• Shadowed Dr. Naziha Malik, MD during patient rounds, monitoring vital signs, interpreting clinical data, and assisting in the management of critically ill patients.
• Participated in emergency response scenarios, observing rapid decision-making processes and the coordination of multidisciplinary teams during high-stress situations.
• Enhanced understanding of critical care principles such as hemodynamic monitoring, fluid management, and pharmacological interventions.

Clinical Observership at the Internal Medicine Department at Mercy South Hospital, St. Louis, MO

• Shadowed Dr. Adnan Khan, MD during patient consultations, physical examinations, and medical procedures to deepen understanding of clinical decision-making
• Learned to interpret diagnostic tests (e.g., lab results, imaging studies) and observed their integration into patient management plans
• Observed effective communication with patients, ensuring empathy and clarity in discussing diagnoses, treatment options, and patient concerns
• Adhered to ethical guidelines and patient confidentiality protocols (e.g., HIPAA), ensuring respectful and professional conduct at all times

• Clinical Observership at the Pulmonary and Critical Care Department, St Francis Hospital Tulsa, OK
• My role included:
• Participating in rounds and presenting patients to Dr Ali A Cheema.
• Observing the management of critically ill patients, including sepsis, respiratory failure, and multi-organ dysfunction
• Learning about ECMO, dialysis machines, cardiac monitors, and procedures like intubation and central/arterial line placement
• Observing discussions on ethical decision-making, including end-of-life care & Do Not Resuscitate orders & patient-family communication during critical moments
• Understanding the significance of accurate documentation in patient charts and EPIC
• This rotation taught me the importance of holistic care

• Observership in the endocrinology department at Atlanticare medical center Mainland campus at Galloway, Atlanticare Medical Center City Campus at Atlantic City and APG Endocrinology at Atlanticare Health Park, Manahawkin NJ under the supervision of Dr. Saima Farghani
• My role included:
• Attending rounds to observe decision-making in complex endocrine cases.
• Understanding teamwork between endocrinologists and other healthcare professionals in managing chronic conditions.
• Gain insights into managing diabetes, thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary diseases.
• This rotation reminded me of the importance of effective, culturally sensitive communication with patients from diverse backgrounds while familiarizing myself with the U.S. healthcare

• Clinical Externship at the Hematology and Oncology Department of Evercare Hospital and Razia Sultana Memorial Cancer & Blood Associates under Muhammad Neaman Siddique, MD
• My duties included:
• Collecting detailed medical histories, including symptoms, previous treatments, and health conditions
• Observing and understanding various treatment protocols for hematological disorders and cancers including but not limited to iron deficiency anemia, Thalassemia, ITP, malignancy induced Hypercalcemia, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, ALL etc
• Providing patients with compassionate care and helping them better understand their treatment plans
• Giving weekly case presentations & treatment discussions

• Clinical Externship, Nephrology Department at ECC- Under Dr
• Awais Zaka, I participated in a US-based model of medicine fully equipped with EMR
• My duties Included:
• Assisting with patient care by taking histories, making differential diagnoses, and reviewing medications in the EMR
• Observing patient consultations and discussions on treatment plans for chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, and electrolyte imbalances
• Developing strategies to enhance the Diabetes Reversal Program through digital initiatives
• Educating patients on kidney-friendly diets, medication adherence, and lifestyle changes
• This experience gave me a mentor who instilled in me the importance of standing up for what's right, even when facing opposition

• Medical Officer, Internal Medicine/ER Department, Private Hospital
• Clinical Role:
• Taking patient histories, performing examinations, and ordering tests
• Formulating supervised treatment plans
• Counseling patients and delivering bad news
• Managing emergencies, including but not limited to DKA, MI, hypertensive crises, stroke, seizures, and appendicitis
• Administrative Role:
• Screening underprivileged patients for nominal fee consultations and reduced-cost or no-cost medications
• Acting as a liaison between patients and staff to ensure clear communication about medical procedures and treatments
• While studying and working to fund my USMLE journey, this role provided me with essential skills and financial support I needed

• Voluntary internship in Ophthalmology, at LRBT, Lahore- a free eye trust to gain exposure to the close-knit relationship between ophthalmology & various medical conditions
• My duties included:
• Screening 400-500 patients daily for eye problems
• Taking patient histories and documenting vision issues & relevant medical conditions
• Assisting with diagnostic tests, including visual acuity tests, tonometry, fundoscopy, & retinal imaging
• Learning to operate and maintain ophthalmic equipment such as slit lamps, autorefractors, & visual field machines
• Educating patients on eye health, proper use of medications, and post-procedure care
• This internship taught me skills in eye exams while simultaneously giving me the joy of volunteering

• 12 months housejob including 3 months of each - Internal Medicine, Nephrology, General Surgery, and Ophthalmology
• Worked as a front-line doctor during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing triage and initial care
• Worked in the emergency, inpatient, and outpatient departments
• My duties included:
• Daily case presentation and direct management of up to 15 patients while on inpatient services
• Tending to new admissions, rapid responses, and codes on the medical floor
• Conducting family counseling
• Attending didactics and weekly case presentations
• Performing procedures; suturing, arterial and venous sampling, inserting catheters, IV and central venous line insertion & intubation
• Teaching medical students during their core clerkships
• What began as fear & anxiety during a pandemic, evolved into confidence & a passion for internal medicine
• The daily challenges were stimulating, & building relationships with patients was incredibly rewarding
• Along the way, I developed skills like empathy, patience, & effective communication

• Student Ambassador at SKMCH (2016-17): Organized blood donation camps, raised awareness, collected donations for cancer treatment, and spent time monthly with cancer patients
• Vice President - IFMSA LC AIMC (2018-19): Coordinated standing committees and led public health and reproductive health projects
• Vice President - Environment Society AIMC (2019-20): Conducted plantation drives and cleanliness campaigns across the campus
• These experiences taught me the significance of leadership and teamwork including thinking critically, engaging in difficult conversations, managing team conflicts, and ensuring that each member felt heard and acknowledged
• Additionally, it helped me develop organizational and time management skills
• Volunteering at these organizations fueled my advocacy for vulnerable populations
• I learned that every interaction matters & that real change often begins at the grassroots level
• These experiences equipped me with practical skills & ignited my passion for positively impacting others' lives

• Takhtee- an educational initiative we launched to accelerate English & math learning for underprivileged children, helping them meet the National Curriculum standards at a primary school in Bedian, a village located near Lahore
• My team & I taught approximately 150 students from grades 1 to 5 on weekends using unconventional teaching methods, raising their math literacy from 34% to 74% and English literacy from 27% to 69%
• We conducted highly engaging sessions using videos, interactive activities, & fun worksheets to make learning enjoyable
• We developed a standardized evaluation to assess each student's initial proficiency & measure progress after the sessions
• This experience strengthened my leadership and teamwork skills