In September 2022, I got the chance to rotate with Dr. Khan at Epic Vascular and Heart Center and HCA Healthcare Northwest. Being my first clinic experience in the US, I was very excited for the exposure but at the same time it was overwhelming. However, Dr. Khan made it quite easy as he is a great physician who constantly inspires both students and his medical professionals to strive for excellence. It was a wonderful learning experience, and I’m glad I chose this place to launch my career in the US healthcare system.
During my time here I was exposed to a variety of cases both inpatient and outpatient. This included rounds at the hospital in the morning with afternoon clinics at the Epic Center. During rounds we saw patients with a wide variety of conditions including but not limited to Atrial Flutter, Acute Coronary Syndrome and Premature Ventricular Contractions and Varicose Veins. He offered me an overview and a deeper grasp of each case for each patient by explaining the reasoning behind the recommended course of action.
In the clinic and hospital, I had the chance to watch a variety of procedures, including Venaseal and Varithena treatments for varicosities, Venous and Arterial ultrasounds, Doppler studies, and nuclear stress tests. The staff and Nurse Practitioner at the Epic Centre was really helpful as they went an extra mile to walk us through every procedure and discuss their findings. Furthermore, I observed cardiac catherization and stent placement which was a very unique experience for me as it was my first time in the Cath lab in this setup.
Additionally, the rotation prepared me to engage with patients and operate in a professional setting. I had the opportunity to work closely with patients, which helped me develop my skills in patient examination and history taking. Dr. Khan showed me how to use the EMR site for patient documentation and urged me to do so frequently. My interpersonal skills have improved as a result of my frequent interactions with patients.
One aspect of the rotation that truly stood out from the norm was the scholarly activities, and as part of that effort, I presented the 2020 AHA recommendations for Patients with Chronic Primary Mitral Regurgitation, which sparked an insightful conversation that was quite helpful. In conclusion, this rotation was a fantastic learning opportunity and I would suggest it to anyone looking for USCE.