Up to ten Mini-Interns are invited to spend two days observing
doctors and others while they perform their daily activities in operating
rooms, physicians' offices, clinics, laboratories and wherever they may
practice within our community. (All Mini-Interns are carefully instructed
with respect to patient privacy issues and they sign an acknowledgement
following the orientation session.)
Mini-Internship Class of 2011 Standing L to R: Judge Thomas Schippers, Giovanna Carli, Professional Liability Analyst, ISMIE, Judge Michael Betar,
Jennifer Nemetz, Professional Liability Specialist, Claims Division, ISMIE, and Charles ("Chuck") Egner, attorney with
Hinshaw & Culbertson (Joliet). Seated: L to R: Kathleen ("Kate") Nowel, ISMIE Underwriter, Jennifer Johnson, attorney
with Hinshaw & Culbertson (Rockford)
LCMS Mini-Internship 2011 Robotics, Blown Fuses All Part of
The Fun for This Year's Mini Interns
Seven mini interns made rounds at the local hospitals Monday and Tuesday as part of the 22nd annual LCMS Mini Internship program. They all had varied experiences, but said they will remember the program forever. But don't take our word for it, read their comments below.
"I was so impressed with this program. The doctors took so much time and care explaining everything while they were multi-tasking with such skill. You are so professional, while under such pressure every day. The quality of care that is available in our community is so obvious. We have the best of medicine right here in Lake County. I feel so good about what I saw. The professionalism and team work were just amazing. You all work so well under pressure most of us cannot understand. This was an experience I will never forget. Thank you for this opportunity." — Judge Thomas Schippers, Lake County
"This was a fantastic experience. It is so much different seeing everything in person than it is reading about it on hospital and patient records. Everything came into focus. This has been so helpful. I will never forget what I saw and learned. It will absolutely change my approach to my career. I have a better understanding of the medical profession from these two intense days." — Giovanna Carli, Claim Analyst, ISMIE
"I have been a claim specialist for 19 years. I will never look at a case the same way after this experience. I know what a sponge count and a towel count really mean. I saw it happen. Nothing is overlooked. People take their jobs very seriously. They pay attention to the smallest detail. They worked as a team. I truly learned how important the role of a surgical assistant really is. Thank you for this opportunity." — Jennifer Nemetz, Professional Liability Specialist, Claims Division, ISMIE
"I am the one who fainted. I don't remember it. I went right back in. The staff took good care of me. They never had their eyes off of me for a minute. I saw two C-Sections. It was amazing. I learned so much. I loved the orthopedic cases. The doctors were such good teachers. I couldn't get enough of this amazing adventure. Everybody - take calcium! I'm serious." — Kate Nowel, ISMIE Underwriter
"You never get enough detail in a deposition. I learned so much. I saw a case where the patient's anatomy would not allow for the rotator cuff surgery that was planned. The doctor did not give up. The planned procedure did not follow the text book guidelines. The doctor had to adapt. They adapted all day, to each patient. Nothing really follows a plan to the letter. This was an awesome experience. It was invaluable to me in my position. And, I learned that doctors don't eat lunch; they don't stop all day long. They are on their feet all day. I don't know how they do it." — Jennifer L. Johnson, Defense Attorney, Hinshaw & Culbertson, Rockford
"This was a fascinating experience that I will never forget. I gained so much more respect for doctors than I already had. The amount of time that doctors spend on their feet is incomprehensible. Those of us who sit at a desk all day cannot understand how you do it. I learned so much about medicine in our community. It was so impressive to see doctors at work." — Michael B. Betar, Associate Judge, Lake County Circuit Court
"I was so energized by this experience. I will never forget it. I got up very early, drove long distances, and it was worth every second. I was fascinated and I could not tear myself away. I thought, if the doctor can stand here for 5 or 6 hours, so can I. How can I duck out? I could not leave. I spent all day long at Vista. I had to skip an afternoon assignment. Their perseverance and dedication is stunning. They seem to be involved in multiple layers of activity all day long. They never eat. Anyone of the people I met could have served as an expert witness in any one of my cases. They are experts! It will be disappointing to look at the issues I confront on paper now. I learned so much in two days of watching physicians at work and observing the whole operating team operate like a well oiled machine. I will never forget it." — Charles Egner, Defense Attorney, Hinshaw & Culbertson, Joliet
"I think it is incredible what distances people travel from to participate in this program. It is clearly unique. It is such a great learning experience. We are happy to be a part of it and so glad that our staff and the doctors are all such enthusiastic participants." — Larry Stanley, VP Marketing and Business Development, Vista Medical Center East
Mini-Internship 2010
The LCMS 2010 Mini-Internship program took place September 20 and 21. We welcomed three Lake County judges to our group of "Mini-Interns", each of which had individual schedules that provided them with the opportunity to shadow physicians in hospital and office settings, with sensitivity to patient privacy at all times, of course. This unique community outreach program has been conducted in Lake County successfully since 1989. We are grateful to the hospitals in our community that have participated, greeted our visitors and welcomed them with hospitality of all kinds. This is truly a team effort! Above photo: L to R: Dr. James Milam, Dr. David Foosaner, Dr. Raghu Thunga, Marianne Finlay
(Dir. Surgery, Northwestern Lake Forest), Dr. Charles Frank, Joan Ordesta (Dir. of Surgery/Vista East),
Stephanie Paulsen (P.R. Specialist, Vista East)
From a press release from Vista Medical Center:
On Monday and Tuesday, three Lake County judges and two
ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company employees got to witness surgical procedures
first hand at Vista Medical Center East as part of the 2010 Mini Internship
Program. Coordinated by the Lake County Medical Society, participants had
the opportunity to put on scrubs and observe the surgical process from
start to finish in Vista's operating rooms. Participants watched a variety
of surgical procedures including a total knee replacement, gastric bypass,
c-section, and more.
At the conclusion of the internship on Tuesday evening, the Lake County
Medical Society hosted a debriefing dinner. Participants shared stories and
agreed that the experience was very rewarding. "As a result of
participating in the Mini Internship Program, I have gained a greater
appreciation for the knowledge, skill, and dedication of the physicians,
nurses, and technicians who serve our community," said Lake County Circuit
Court Judge Jorge Ortiz.
Jamie Donovan, an Underwriter at ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company said, "I
was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit and observe the medicine
being practiced at Vista Medical Center East. From the physicians and
nursing staff to the administrators, I was hugely impressed by the level of
expertise and efficiency displayed. They were a wonderfully warm, welcoming
group, and made for an experience that I won't soon forget."
Senior Risk Management Program Development Specialist at ISMIE Lauren
Rueber said, "I enjoyed seeing the care, thought, and precision put into
every case and am sill in awe of the capabilities in medicine today. I feel
so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to see the skill and
dedication of the medical staff first-hand, and will never forget the
warmth and kindness I was shown by everyone."
2009 Mini-Internship — Another Powerful Program,
Mini-Interns Called a Tremendous Adventure
We are grateful for the support of so many of our members — the essential component of this community outreach and education program.
Mini-Interns who dedicated two days of their valuable time to explore the world of medicine are: Lake County Judge Joseph Waldeck, Michelle Feldman, a Lake County Board member, Shauna McCarthy, Legislative Assistant to Congressman Mark Kirk, Jennifer Ballard, an attorney with Hinshaw & Culbertson, Roy Schmidt and Wendy Roberson, both Senior Underwriters with ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company and Mark C. Curran, Jr., Lake County Sheriff.
Lake County Judge Joseph R. Waldeck (pictured at right) was an enthusiastic participant in the 2009 Mini-Internship program. He spent time at Lake Forest Hospital and Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan.
Above, top left photo, L to R: Mini-Intern Jennifer Ballard (attorney with Hinshaw & Culbertson),
Dr. Kim Sobinsky, general surgeon, Marianne Finlay, RN (Director Surgery
& Ambulatory Services at Lake Forest Hospital), Shauna McCarthy,
Legislative Assistant to Congressman Mark Kirk, a 2009 Mini-Intern.
Mini-Internship photo, September 21, 2009. Lower left photo: Matthew Abbott, legislative assistant to Congressman Mark Kirk,
Northbrook office, is pictured in the center of this photo. To his left is Edward Hamming, an orthopedic surgeon. And, in the above right photo: Kelli Politte, Deputy Chief Public Defender, Lake County and Lake County Board Vice Chairman Michael Talbett observing in surgery at Condell Medical Center. They were two of eight Mini-Interns in the "Class of 2008". They observed physicians practicing medicine at Condell and Vista Medical center East and Lake Forest Hospitals.
Above : 2008 Reverse Mini-Internship taken in the Lake County
Coroner's facility. As a result of the successful Medical Mini-Internships
since 1989, the Lake County Bar Association and Lake County judges began
organizing Reverse Mini-Internships, during which physician members of
the Medical Society are invited to observe courtroom cases sitting side
by side with attorneys who could explain proceedings, tour the Lake County
Jail and visit the Coroner's facilities. The unique program has been very
well received!
Mini-Internship: "An Incredible Experience"
Another year, another successful Mini-Internship Program! In September, 2007, six Interns shadowed over 35 LCMS members and saw first-hand what it is like to be a doctor.
2007 Interns — Matthew Abbott, District Representative for Congressman Mark Kirk (IL-10); David Asma, Principle Investigator, Office of the Public Defender; Jenifer Haas, Sr. Professional Liability Analyst, ISMIE; Alissa Guetzow, Sr. Professional Liability Analyst, ISMIE; Rep. Karen May (IL-58); and Beth McNicholas, Underwriter, ISMIE. Top Left photo: Mini-Intern Adam Beeson, legislative aide to State Representative Ed Sullivan, Jr., (Mundelein) observing knee surgery during the Mini-Internship by Dr. Thomas Baier and Dr. Gregory Caronis. Top right photo: Raghu Thunga, MD, an anesthesiologist at Condell has been extraordinarily welcoming and helpful to our visiting Mini-Interns for two years. He is pictured here with Judge Margaret Mullen and ISMIE claim analyst Michelle Stenzel. Above bottom right photo: Dr. Edward Hamming, orthopedic surgeon with offices in Gurnee and Libertyville, in surgery at Lake Forest Hospital. Drs. Edward and Bruce Hamming are regular participants in the Mini-Internship program. Matthew Abbott is observing in surgery. (Photos: Mike Romeo)
At the conclusion of their two-day adventure with individualized schedules,
the Mini-Interns come together with the participating physicians (all who can
attend) at a dinner hosted by the Medical Society to enable them to share
their collective experiences and discuss the issues and challenges
surrounding practice of medicine in our community. We call this the
Debriefing Dinner. It pleases us to learn that many lasting relationships
have been formed over the years to the mutual benefit of all concerned.
We encourage physicians in all specialties to join in and host a Mini-Intern
or two during this important community outreach program. We promise a
rewarding experience! Most Mini-Interns are assigned to physicians for 2 - 3
hour segments, depending on the observation opportunities and individual
schedules. For additional information, email or call our executive director, Jane
Stein at the Lake County Medical Society office in Lake Forest at (847)
482-0222.
Producing A Successful Mini-Internship
Producing a successful Mini-Internship is a little bit like giving birth! It consumes our time increasingly over a period of several months, we swear it is too much work and strain to do again, and when it's over, we can't wait to get started on the next program because it always brings about such thrilling results.
Without the enthusiastic support of the administration and staff at the hospitals... without their close attendance over our visiting Mini-Interns, this program would fail.
Thanks to all of those who shepherd our Mini-Interns through surgery at all participating hospitals and warmly greet and care for our Mini-Interns throughout the event. This includes an average of 30-40 member physicians who participate in the program annually. Thanks to you all for helping us deliver each successful Mini-Internship!
We are grateful for the support of so many of our members — the essential component of this community outreach and education program.
Producing a successful Mini-Internship is a little bit like giving birth! It consumes our time increasingly over a period of several months, we swear it is too much work and strain to do again, and when it's over, we can't wait to get started on the next program because it always brings about such thrilling results.
