MedBridge Scholars — San Diego, California

My time with this program was something I am truly grateful for. I learned a great deal, especially from being exposed to the different perspectives and approaches of two neurosurgeons, which gave me a much richer understanding of the field. I would highly recommend this program to my colleagues and friends. It gave me the opportunity to observe surgeries. I would likely never have had the chance to see in my home country, making the experience especially valuable and memorable for me.

I had the privilege of shadowing Dr. Yoo and gained invaluable exposure to both the clinical and operative aspects of neurosurgery. As a medical student interested in surgery, this experience strengthened my appreciation for the discipline, work ethic, and intellectual rigor required in neurosurgery. I was able to gain exposure in surgical procedures such as: ALIF, PCDF, TLIF, VP Shunt, Hematoma Resection, Intramural Spinal Cord Tumor Resection, Spinal Cord Stimulator Insertion and Removal, as well as Intrathecal pain pump insertion and removal. Shadowing Dr. Yoo was highly educational and inspiring, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from a physician who exemplifies excellence in patient care, teaching, and surgical leadership.

My four-week neurosurgery elective in San Diego was one of the most formative experiences of my medical training. As my first clinical rotation in the United States and my very first surgical experience, it placed me outside my comfort zone yet confirmed my longstanding fascination with spine surgery. Under the mentorship of Dr. Kevin Yoo and his team, I learned to interpret imaging studies and to connect anatomy, pathology, and patient symptoms in a way no textbook could. What made it so meaningful was the trust Dr. Yoo placed in me despite my limited surgical background. He welcomed me into the operating room, where every procedure became a lesson in technique and decision-making, and generously shared his perspective on practicing medicine in the U.S. I am deeply grateful to him and his entire team, and I sincerely hope to return one day.

I've had a very positive experience interning at the neurosurgery office. The team has been welcoming, professional, and supportive, and I've learned a great deal about patient care, clinical workflow, and the importance of communication in a medical setting. I appreciate the opportunity to observe and contribute in such a collaborative environment, and this experience has further strengthened my interest in the healthcare field.

I began my journey at MSK MSO as an MA Trainee, where I was first introduced to the clinical side of healthcare. Over time, I had the opportunity to cross-train across multiple specialties, including primary care, physical therapy, and neurosurgery, which broadened both my clinical knowledge and perspective on patient care. As I continued to grow through these experiences, I was promoted to Intern and now serve as a Head Intern, allowing me to further develop my leadership and mentorship skills. Through MSK MSO, I have built meaningful connections with numerous physicians and gained unique hands-on experiences, including the opportunity to work in a cadaver lab. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities, mentorship, and experiences that MSK MSO has provided me throughout my journey.

I started this internship during the fall semester of my senior year of college, and three years later I now serve as a full-time lead at San Diego Neurosurgery. The experience has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth, giving me hands-on exposure through placing pedicle screws in a cadaver lab, joining providers for rounding consults, and scrubbing in for surgeries. I've also grown into a leadership role mentoring interns who were once in the same position I started in, while building close relationships with patients through continuity of care. This internship offers a unique avenue for students during their gap year to mature while preparing for medical school applications, surrounded by peers facing similar challenges like the MCAT, gaining clinical experience, and navigating the application cycle. As I prepare to apply to medical school this cycle, I can confidently say this internship provided the foundation that strengthened my application, and I would highly recommend it to any student seeking meaningful clinical exposure, mentorship, and growth.

I've been with MSK MSO for the past 9 months, starting as an MA trainee at SDN, and working at SDN has been such a great experience overall. The environment is really supportive and I've had the chance to learn so much by rotating through different specialties like neurosurgery, internal medicine, chiropractic care, and physical therapy. Being exposed to all these areas has helped me build a strong foundation in patient care and understand how different providers work together to treat patients. I've also developed important skills like communicating with patients, assisting in clinical settings, and thinking more critically in real patient situations. Overall, it's been an amazing learning experience that has really helped me grow and prepare for a future in healthcare.