Welcome to Gustavus Adolphus College’s Student Stories Series!
Research Assistant at the Hennepin County Medical Center
Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
What was/is your career opportunity/experience (i.e. internship, shadowing experience, research)?
The position is a research assistant at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis in which we assist with data collection and screenings for different studies in the Emergency Department of the hospital.
How did you get the opportunity/experience? What steps did you take to achieve this?
I initially heard about the program through a friend, then went to the website to apply initially online before conducting a zoom interview.
Tell us more about your accomplishment.
The Research and Quality Improvement (RQI) Program is hosted by the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute (HHRI) at Hennepin County Medical Center, a nationally recognized Level 1 Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. HHRI is dedicated to advancing patient care through high-impact clinical and translational research. The RQI Program offers undergraduate students an immersive experience in a hospital setting, combining patient interaction, clinical observation, and participation in ongoing research projects related to emergency medicine, trauma care, and healthcare quality improvement.
As part of the RQI Program, I will collect clinical data directly from patient encounters under the guidance of physicians and research staff. This includes completing informed consent procedures, assisting with the enrollment of patients into studies, and accurately documenting information in compliance with ethical and regulatory standards. I will also attend educational lectures on airway management, research ethics, and trauma protocols, and participate in Critical Care Conferences and simulations. In addition, there are opportunities to observe emergency procedures in the hospital’s Stabilization Room and to contribute to research projects that may be published in academic journals. Through these responsibilities, I will gain firsthand experience in the intersection of clinical practice and research, while building foundational skills essential for a future healthcare career.
Who were some of the people who helped you most at Gustavus to get this opportunity? What did you learn from them?
Heather Banks – She helped me greatly by meeting with me several times in order to discuss different internships to apply for in the summer as well as giving me ideas about what to do in the future. Matt Carlson & Lillian Selberg – Both were seniors this past year who greatly helped me to gain a better understanding of the medical field.
How did the Engaged Learning Funds help you be able to complete this experience?
The fund assisted me by providing me an income from this internship as it was otherwise unpaid. It also provided me gas money as I need to commute about 35-40 minuets every time I go into the hospital to work there.
How have you applied things you’ve learned here at Gustavus to this opportunity? (i.e., Career & Self Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Equity & Inclusion, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, Technology)
I have applied communication, inclusion, and professionalism while apart of this internship as I have had to discuss a wide range of topics and situations with my peers in a diverse and professional environment.
