I was lucky enough to secure an externship with Dr. Usman Khan at HCA Houston Northwest and EPIC Heart and Vascular Center. Dr. Khan is an amazing human being with a passion to teach and help IMG doctors. During this four-week time, he tried his best to give us maximal exposure to all aspects of patient care.
This rotation gives good experience in direct patient care and using EMR. Dr. Khan praised my bedside manners and empathetic communication with the patients.
We were able to witness many office and in-patient procedures like Varithena, Venaseal, Venous ablations, cardiac catheterization, angiography, pacemaker placement, peripheral artery interventions including atherectomies, balloon dilations, and stenting. Dr. Khan liked how I studied each procedure in detail and asked smart questions. Dr. Khan would always take time to explain to us indications of the procedure on each patient, findings observed during the intervention, and the outcomes achieved.
He also emphasizes participation in scholarly activities among externs. I had the opportunity to present novel research on “Regional Antibiotic Delivery for Implanted Cardiovascular Electronic Device Infections” for the Journal Club. He praised my preparedness, grasp of the topic, and confidence during the presentation. We were also given weekly assignments for discussion including the latest AHA/ACC guidelines for lipid management, hypertension, and heart failure.
I would conclude by saying that it was a well-rounded experience covering all areas of a quality externship. The office staff is very friendly and supportive, and I enjoyed working in a team with them. Dr. Khan is a great mentor and teacher. He will make sure that you gain maximum benefit from your rotation, strengthen any weak areas, and get well-prepared for the residency. He would also ensure that you have a fun time in Houston. You would know the details when you go!