Gustavo Lane Capone is a 4^th year pre-medical student at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL, USA. He spent one week at the University of Campinas (Unicamp) / School of Medical Sciences (SMS) / Hospital de Clinicas (HC) shadowing doctors from the vascular, trauma, and intensive care department where he got the opportunity watch surgeries, discuss cases, learn and see diagnostic methods, watch patient-physician interactions, and much more.

He was primarily under the supervision of Prof. Fabio Hüsemann Menezes, a vascular surgeon, of which he got the opportunity to see a leg amputation, vascular graft operations, a carotid endarterectomy, and other endovascular procedures. Gustavo said “It was a remarkable experience to see the vascular anatomy! Just to be up close looking at the internal and external jugular veins and carotid arteries pumping blood and seeing how fragile yet beautiful the mechanics of the human body are made me realize that I truly love medicine. Nothing compares to the real living human body! This opportunity took me a long way in solidifying my desire to become a doctor and there is no doubt I will return if I have the opportunity.”

In addition, Gustavo also had the opportunity to look at how patient-physician interaction takes place in a clinical and hospital ward, being able to see doctors talking to patients and families pre and post operation, patients with only minor clinical needs such as changing bandages, and in diagnostic settings looking at ultrasounds.

Moreover, Gustavo also spent time with the Division of Trauma Surgery, where he got the opportunity to see a simulation with patient that had suffered a motorcycle accident coming into the Emergency Room and watch the Trauma team (Unicamp medical students) going through the ABCDE (Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure).

Lastly, he visited the critical care department where he spent the morning getting briefed on each patients’ cases and future treatments. Gustavo Capone concluded: “An experience that I will take for the rest of my life and career”.