Vivek Sudarshan

I explored the issues pre-med students face and the obstacles and challenges many have on their journey to medical school. I helped organize and plan video content, research and compile lists of survey questions, gather and interpret data, and work on proposals for potential solutions.

I shadowed a UC San Francisco Medical School pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon. Considering my deep interest in the cardiovascular system, this to me is a massive educational experience; I will never forget seeing a baby heart the size of a small tomato beating in front of me.

Although through Zoom, this program furthered my understanding of global public health policies and how medicine is practiced in different parts of the world. I gained more insight into the ethics of medicine, and practiced scenarios in which I would have to make tough decisions in treating a “patient.” I also got to dissect a sheep brain and pig kidney, both of which were delivered to my doorstep. You can only imagine my face when I opened the package!

The program is led by one of the top professionals in healthcare and surgery in the world! I learned proper surgical etiquette and technique, then performed aortic valve replacement, anastomosis and bypass graft on a real pig heart, and designed a theoretical pump to fix Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome! I loved the hands-on learning experience!