My name is Gabi Fedel, and I am a senior at the University of South Carolina (UofSC) studying cardiovascular technology (CVT). As a CVT student, I am completing the didactic portion of my internship at the Claude W. Smith, MD School of CVT in affiliation with the UofSC. 

 

This June, I will complete my remaining clinical training at Anderson Medical Hospital in Greenville, SC. In December, I will wrap up the final clinical hours and national exams required to work as a registered sonographer. After this, I plan to get involved within my new community and apply to medical school in the Spring of 2022. During the time before medical school, I plan to work as a diagnostic echo and vascular sonographer. Additionally, some of the goals are to volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, start a book club, and get involved with cardiovascular research. My ultimate goal is to serve in the community as a physician in South Carolina. 

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My e-portfolio was created for my Graduation with Leadership Distinction in Global Learning. It embodies the insights I attained during my global learning experience in Costa Rica and within the classroom at both the University of South Carolina and the University of Costa Rica. While in Costa Rica, I gained perspective and knowledge that was crucial to unraveling and discovering my passions both professionally and personally. I am passionate about improving individuals' quality of life through a holistic approach; this includes the combination of medical science based innovation, preventative lifestyle medicine, and plant-based nutrition. I want to create an environment for my future patients that brings healing to all aspects of their life including: mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.  After reflecting on my time abroad, I realized that the learning experiences and outcomes that occurred are applicable to my future as a sonographer, physician, and active citizen. In my first key insight called “Social Norms,” I connected my time abroad to my known environment at home. From this, it led me to realize the growth in my life that occurred due to pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. My second key insight is titled “Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable.” It describes multiple experiences in my life where self-growth occurred from initially uncomfortable environments. Lastly, my passions of preventative medicine, love for biochemistry, and experiences during my clinicals prompted my third key insight: “Healing and Feeling”. 

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The leadership section discusses my plan to create a garden within Providence Hospital that aims to educate patients on lifestyle choices, provide fresh produce, and assist in healing patients’ mental and physical health. The patient's meals will be supplemented from the hospital’s personal garden and delivered with a card describing nutritional value. The ultimate goal of the garden is to add a holistic component to their care through the opportunity they have to assist in tending the garden. Through my experiences, I have learned that in order to provide effective healthcare to patients within our community, we must first take preventive measures across all cultures in order to find permanent, long term mental and physical healing. One garden will not change generational dietary habits and lifestyle choices, but rather it plants a seed towards living a life of healthy choices and positive mental health educating patients on lifestyle choices and assisting in alleviating mental stress.