It’s common for young kids to watch TV and “decide” what they want to be when they grow up, even if that “career goal” changes weekly. For Gaetana Baldwin, though, crime dramas helped push her toward a career she’s actively pursuing with the help of Questar III’s New Visions: Medical program.
Gaetana, a senior from Brunswick CSD, is part of the program’s inaugural class. Launched in September at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, New Visions: Medical offers students a look at a range of careers across various medical fields. She says watching detective shows piqued her interest in medicine, albeit in a profession that often comes off less than glamorous.
Gaetana Baldwin is a senior at Brunswick CSD and attends Questar III’s New Visions: Medical program.
“Seeing the Medical Examiner perform autopsies [on TV] sparked my interest in the medical field. In high school, I became keen on becoming a medical examiner and thought this program was a great opportunity.”
New Visions programs feature high-level, intense, hands-on coursework including the opportunity to earn several college credits, and this new program is no exception. Students earn a total of eight credits through The Sage Colleges – four in Human Biology and four in Medical Physics.
Anyone will agree earning college credits in high school is a benefit – but for many of Gaetana’s classmates, the highlight of this New Visions program is the rotations in the field. Students shadow doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and many others. These aren’t traditional office visits either – students spend time in operating rooms, emergency departments, respiratory care units, medical imaging and beyond. These experiences give students the hands-on insights that will help shape their future careers.
“My favorite part of the class is being able to shadow doctors, nurses, surgeons, nurse practitioners, and physical therapists. It allows the students to see what it’s like to care for patients. I’ve learned plenty about healthcare in my time following professionals in the hospital,” says Gaetana.
Medicine runs in her family, too. She has a cousin who is an anesthesiologist in Arizona, and her cousin’s husband is a heart surgeon. Her great aunt is also a physician’s assistant in Florida.
Gaetana also credits her teacher, Tammie Borland, for the program’s (and her own) early success.
“Mrs. Borland is a fantastic teacher. She is very dedicated to teaching us, and always gives us help when we need it. As there are only 15 of us, attention is given equally, and if there’s something we’re confused about, she’s quick to offer clarity so we don’t feel like we’re left behind.”
She also acknowledges that what she’s experiencing this year is not something most students get to experience. Through the rotations she’s been on, she says she’s learned a lot about several fields of medicine. Through these experiences, she has grown not only as a student, but also as a person.
“It has helped me to be more comfortable meeting new people and talking in front of a large group. I’ve been able to come out of my shell and made great friends with the other students in the program.”
Perhaps most importantly, however, the program has confirmed the desire Gaetana’s long-time goal.
“Being in the medical program and shadowing in the hospital showed me that going into the field of medicine is the right choice for me.”
After graduation, Gaetana will major in Applied Biology/Pre-Med at Russell Sage College. She plans to continue to medical school and complete an MD/Ph.D. program. She hopes to become a forensic pathologist.
For more information on New Visions: Medical, visit our website.
