This is my first time ever in Brazil and South America. For the next couple of months, I will be working with Hospital de Amor a top-of-the-line, world renown, Cancer Research Hospital. My responsibilities will include applying the needs finding skills that I developed at the Needs Finding Workshop in Costa Rica and helping Hospital de Amour with one of their research projects. However, this week was focused on shadowing different parts of the hospital and speaking to varying research departments about ongoing projects. We were able to visit specialized research departments called NAPs. We did a ride along with one of their mobile units to a nearby town. These mobile units are used to complete prevention screening examinations and promote frequent cancer screenings. We even got to see the mobile unit factory where all the mobile units are manufactured and maintained. We visited the breast prevention department and saw innovative quality control systems that they use to ensure super accurate and efficient cancer diagnoses. They even have a kid’s cancer hospital that not only provides treatment but also education and housing for families. Most recently we visited the molecular biology and cell biology research labs who are doing cutting edge research on better ways to identify and treat cancer.
It has truly been an eye-opening experience to see so many innovative technologies being implemented in one place and to see a collective drive to implement new technologies that will help the patient experience. Moreover, all the staff have been so kind and patient. They have not only helped me improve on my Portuguese but have taught me about Brazilian culture. I have enjoyed the experience a lot so far and I am very excited for the next 2 months.