Current medical student at the University of Nevada, Reno, Catalina Sun, was a COMET Fellow and Senior Scribe from 2020-2022. During her time at Stanford, Catalina worked with several physicians across a variety of specialties, including: Dr. Sellmeyer (Endocrinology), Dr. Thom (Family Medicine), Dr. Hannah (Palliative Medicine), Dr. Epstein (Infectious Diseases), Dr. Gabiola (Express Care), and Dr. Weng (Internal Medicine). By embracing these experiences, Catalina saw “the depth to which a physician can focus on a specific subject,” and learned the importance of “a comprehensive knowledge base across various diseases."
Catalina shares a memorable experience from the Palliative Care clinic that expanded her understanding of a physician’s responsibilities during end-of-life care conversations.
“The conversation with the patient was weighty and emotionally charged. However, witnessing the burden lift from the patient's shoulders when Dr. Hannah empathetically supported his decision and guided him through the necessary procedures left a lasting impact on me. This experience deeply resonated with me, reinforcing my commitment to pursue medicine. I aspire to follow in Dr. Hannah's compassionate footsteps, guiding individuals as they approach the inevitable end of their journey...we are often perceived as guardians against death. However, acknowledging the inevitability of life's end, I believe healthcare providers should strive to ensure that the journey to the final destination is marked by as much comfort and compassion as possible.”
Upon completion of the COMET Fellowship, she continued her collaboration with COMET mentors by participating in Dr. Gabiola's ABC’s for Global Health (https://www.abcsforglobalhealth.org). Through the summer months, Catalina engaged in outreach to underserved communities in the Philippines. In addition to volunteering in the mobile clinic, she learned some Tagalog and served as a liaison between medical students in the Philippines and the program. “This experience profoundly broadened my understanding, shedding light on the diverse ways social determinants of health act as impediments to medical care in these areas,” says Catalina. “It's an experience I wholeheartedly encourage our scribes to embrace, allowing them to witness firsthand the transformative impact medicine can have on those in need.”
Shortly after, Catalina continued exploring medicine. She emphasizes the value of varied experiences and fondly recalls her year in Las Vegas as a receptionist at a cat clinic. Working in veterinary care brought Catalina a unique perspective in medicine. “While I appreciated the time spent with animals and client interactions, this role served to affirm my dedication to pursuing a career as a human doctor.”
Now as a medical student, Catalina reflects, “These varied experiences have significantly influenced my perspective on healthcare and fortified my commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of human populations.” She advises current scribes to explore different specialties, reach out to mentors for application guidance, and form bonds with fellow COMET scribes.
We are so grateful to Catalina for sharing her thoughtful insights on her COMET experience and pre-medical journey! My full interview with Catalina will be published on the COMET Website this month. Check it out to read more about the experiences that shaped her path to medical school, outreach in the Philippines with ABC’s for Global Health, and advice for current COMET Fellows!
Written by: Traci Shiu