Giselle Fisher
Hometown: Onalaska, WI
Education: Yale University
MD Mentor: Dr. Jay Traverse
Staff Mentor: Bethany White
Project: Why do patients with microvascular obstruction (MVO) die?
How did you hear about the MHIF internship and why did you want to participate?
I heard about the MHIF internship after looking for summer cardiology internships. After visiting the cardiologist many times as a child to monitor a mild heart condition, I developed an interest to learn about various heart diseases.
What sparked your interest in the field of research, medicine and cardiology?
Throughout college, I have volunteered as a clinical interpreter for HAVEN Free Clinic, a student-run free clinic in New Haven, CT. The opportunity to hear patients stories and to serve as a patient advocate furthered my interest in medicine. While I have conducted basic science research in a biochemistry lab in college, I sought out the MHIF internship to learn about clinical research and to see how physicians use patient experiences to guide their investigations.
What is your desired career in medicine?
I find cardiology and hematology very interesting! I really enjoy working with children, so I hope to enter a pediatric specialty one day.
What are you most looking forward to this summer?
I'm looking forward to learning about our physician's and staff mentor's research. I am also excited for the opportunity to shadow in the cath lab. I have enjoyed how supportive and enthusiastic the other interns are, and am excited for the friendships that will form.
What do you hope to gain from this experience?
I hope to gain an understanding of what a career in medicine looks like. After shadowing various procedures, I hope to learn more about my own interests in medicine. For example, I have never observed a surgery before, so I'm looking forward to seeing which areas are most interesting to me.
What are your plans after the summer?
This fall I will be a senior. I am currently applying to medical school and will be continuing with the process throughout the school year. I am looking forward to taking various biochemistry seminar classes in the spring and fall.
What is a fun fact about you?
My favorite dessert is pancakes with ice cream.