Day 4 @ PHLS 2015

Day 4: Running Strong

On Day 1, we began a marathon named HOSA Public Health Leadership Seminar. Day 2 we were able to gain speed and distance. Day 3, beads of sweat began to drip down our faces as we continued to run towards the finish line. Day 4, an extra push is needed as we gain momentum and cherish each step.

Today was Day 4 of the Marathon, and we're all running strong! While we're not running an actual marathon, we are a part of a marathon of mental and physical endurance; a marathon that provides the greatest rewards of knowledge and experience.

Our day started off strong as we met up in front of the Koshland Museum and then walked to the Institute of Medicine-National Academies to meet with Mr. Jack Herrmann, the Senior Program officer of the Board on Health Sciences Policy. Mr. Herrmann provided a picture of the diversity of Public Health and the various departments that are involved in ensuring the health and safety of the US population. We also met with the interns at the office who explained how their paths to medicine were ones that were unexpected. Mr. Herrmann also explained how his path to his career was not straightforward. With an initial interest in psychology and sociology, Mr. Herrmann utilized his interests to enter a career in academia which then progressed to developing seven portfolios at NACCHO and ultimately serving in his position today. It was wonderful listening to the various career paths of the individuals at the Institute of Medicine. The most important message we gained was to "pursue your passions and embrace uncertainty".

This is the Marian Koshland Museum (Contents include Disaster Preparedness, Climate Change, and Public Health)

Picture with the Board on Health Sciences Policy at the Institute of Medicine

Next, with the magic of our amazing Metro Timing, we rode the DC Metro to the Hubert H. Humphrey Building where we were able to enter the Secretary's Operation Center. With ten screens in the front and rows of desks, we learned about the information hub of the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response. The Secretary's Operation Center allows for various Public Health Departments to communicate with each other during emergency events including natural disasters and disease outbreaks. One example provided to explain the communication network was the recent Ebola Outbreak. For the first case of Ebola in Texas, the patient's information was transferred to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for testing and then transferred to the Secretary's Operation Center to prepare for the disease outbreak. Similar to the Incident Command System, we also discovered that there is a central person in the operation center, and that person is the Emergency Response Manager. Similar to the information room in the movie Jurassic World, the Secretary's Operation Center allowed us to understand the need for cooperation and communication during emergency situations. 

This is the Secretary's Operation Center

We then headed towards USUHS (Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences) to meet with Ms. Joan C. Stearman, director of admissions. USUHS allows students to gain a graduate education (M.D. degree, masters, Ph.D) without paying tuition while receiving a salary and benefits of a uniformed officer in exchange for a seven-year active duty service commitment. We were given a tour of the amazing USUHS facilities including the library, cafeteria, study room, and most importantly....the Cadaver Lab!!! We learned about how the cadaver is used for biomedical research. Viewing nursing students working diligently in the cadaver lab gave me a taste of what a gross anatomy lab in medical school would look like. Our tour of USUHS concluded with a discussion on the benefits of an USUHS education. 

Right Outside of the Cadaver Lab at USUHS

Picture with our tour guide at USUHS

The last event of the day was a surprise. We were notified yesterday that the office of American Samoa was eager to meet the HOSA PHLS group! An even bigger surprise was in store for us! We were extremely lucky and honored to meet the DELEGATE of American Samoa, Congresswoman Amata Coleman Radewagen. As each of us, including our very own advisor Ms. Saili Samoa who's an American Samoan constituent, shared our stories regarding our experiences in HOSA and the importance of the HOSA-CTE Partnership, we were delighted and enthralled by the support Congresswoman Radewagen demonstrated in expanding the impact of HOSA in American Samoa. Congresswoman Radewagen arrived from American Samoa yesterday and was willing to meet with our group in person today. Her words gave each of us hope and fueled our great passion for HOSA! Our meeting with Congresswoman Radewagen was a wonderful conclusion to Day 4 of our PHLS adventures!

Picture with Congresswoman Radewagen of American Samoa

Picture of Ms. Saili Samoa with Congresswoman Radewagen who is signing our pictures

Today was a day of learning and interaction! We learned not only about Public Health but also about the career paths of various individuals as we interacted with those who contribute to the health of the US population. Now, we look forward to Day 5: The Finish Line of the HOSA PHLS Marathon!