By Jannah Kalai
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Senior Brennan Lee was given the opportunity of a lifetime when he received a snapshot of the medical profession through a 10-day trip to the University of California at Berkeley, sponsored by the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC). From June 22 to July 1, Lee had hands-on experience with dissection, diagnostic simulation and public intervention scenarios, all of which were purposed to encourage the minds of those questioning a career in medicine.
“It was the first time that I could meet other students who were interested in surgery, too—who were interested in becoming doctors—and it was just this mass of motivated students who knew what they wanted in life,” stated Lee.
But with a class size bordering 20, the admissions and enrollment process is one of the most challenging aspects. As Lee’s mother, Lori Lee, recalled, “Initially we had concerns for him to travel alone since Brennan (Lee) always took family trips—never by himself.” Herbert Lee, Brennan Lee’s father added, “The UC Berkeley Program provided a fairly detailed 10 day itinerary and always had staff ready to address any concerns we had.”
The program was not only rich with medical procedures and evaluations, but also social bonding opportunities—ropes challenge courses, visiting the San Francisco Exploratorium and trips to Fisherman’s Wharf were able to pull the students closer together. “I loved these field trips and the socials—which also included casino night and game night,” stated Brennan Lee. “However, I just couldn’t help but think about what I would learn next. That’s the point where I realized that this is something I really want to do.”
During the program, Brennan Lee was the leader of a Public Health Intervention project, in which he had to create an organization that would have a dramatic impact on the Don’t Text and Drive Movement, which won first place. He also took the role of a medical professional analyzing patient behaviors in a clinical diagnostic simulation. “Our job, with a little help of a diagnostic handbook, was to record observations, order tests, diagnose the patient and present an appropriate treatment plan,” said Brennan Lee. The patient’s health issues ranged from ADHD to Creutz-Jakob Disease, a disorder that impairs neurological function with voluntary control and severely impairs cognitive abilities. Brennan Lee also had the opportunity to dissect cow eyes, sheep hearts and learn how to properly drill burr holes in fetal pigs.
The attendees also were subject to the moral and ethical standards associated with the practice, such as the doctor-patient privilege. “We had a psychiatrist come in,” Brennan Lee stated, “and give a lecture on ethics, so we got a snapshot of some of the ethical decisions that doctors have to make.”
Medicine is a field that has always attracted Brennan Lee and this trip further confirmed the way for his aspirations. “To this day, I watch aortic valve replacements, thoracotomies, (coronary artery bypass grafting) and laparoscopic appendectomies. No science is more interesting than the human anatomy and physiology because it is the science of me,” Brennan Lee stated. “Becoming a surgeon would be a dream come true. I want to give people second chances.”
The course serves as a platform not only as an investment for students, but their families as well. Lori Lee stated, “I would encourage student’s families given this unique opportunity to really pursue this. The experience at Berkeley is one that we have no regrets about and one that Brennan will never forget.” Herbert Lee added, “Our humble opinion to other students facing similar decisions—it’s an investment in yourself.”
With this year being Brennan Lee’s last as an MHS student, he will not be eligible for the program again, but urges students to go if they receive the opportunity. Volunteering at Kaiser Permanente, he continues to prepare himself for the field of medicine, and in the future, Brennan Lee hopes to find himself in the surgical ward, doing nothing other than what he loves most.
