Week (1/5)

I need and want to know more about the function and importance of the ACL. Also when torn, I'd like to become more in tune with the process of repair and rehab.  People of all different body types and lifestyles tear the ACL everyday, putting them out of sports, work and normal living functions. My question researches how this happens, why this happens, how to fix this, etc.

My Essential Question: What is the importance of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) performance in our bodies?

Other than my website, I currently plan on making a model of the knee particularly demonstrating the ACL within it.  From this, I will be able to hands on explain the ways it works, tears, repairs, ect.

For my real inquiry, I plan to ask and interview my mentor and possibly the PA under my mentor as well.  In addition, I have several athletic trainers and teammates who have come in contact with this particular injury and know extensive knowledge from a different point of view.  Of course, books help as well.

My Essential Question

What is the importance of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) performance in our bodies?

I have never personally torn my ACL; however, through my soccer experiences I have been witness to several of my teammates' and friends' tearing of their ACL.  Some of my teammates have been forced to give up soccer due to a torn ACL.  This is a subject that has drawn me closer to the field of orthopedics because I am intrigued to know an extensive knowledge about this ligament and how one wrong pivot has the ability to ruin a career.

The ACL is also exciting because it is such an essential part of athletics and the body.  I am able to relate an educational topic to my personal life and something I am very passionate about.  I adore not only soccer but every bit of fitness and exercises; therefore, knowing important ligaments, muscles, and how the body works is something that I can't get enough of. 

Besides being a competitive soccer player, I run every day and constantly work to enhance my fitness.  If I were to ever injure myself and not be able to workout on a daily basis, I would go insane.  Running keeps my physical and emotional health in check.  The ACL is the most common injury I have seen keep athletes from their fitness.  With this being said, it definitely wouldn't help to know more about the ACL and its functions and maybe some preventative procedures.

Week 11/10

                The mentor ship I take part in at Longstreet Clinic with Dr. Amy Borrow has been a wonderful and enriching experience for me.  The only task I really take part in would be following Dr. Borrow as she meets with various patients; however I am sure to always ask questions and make sure to learn something from every appointment.  Some days are more exciting than others but recently we have received patients with diverse injuries relating to athletics, worker’s composition and even car accidents, etc.  One patient was an eight year old, competitive gymnast experiencing major elbow issues that are typically involved with professional baseball players.  Fortunately for me, I got to see Dr. Borrow analyze her case and walk through the diagnosis and surgical procedures with the young lady’s parents. Another patient was not as easily fixed due to her recent involvement in a car wreck. After this wreck, she began experiencing major knee and back pain, and from an MRI scan we could see this patient had a minor meniscus tear and a bulge in her back.  However, neither were big enough or severe enough to go into surgery. The patient became overwhelmingly upset about this because she wanted it to be fixed and win her lawsuit. 

                Being involved in the field of orthopedics requires a significant amount of background knowledge in order to understand the procedures and what is happening within the body. The most recent full academic school year I took Honors Human Anatomy and Physiology with the lovely Mrs. Terri Barker.  Not only was this class so much fun with a loving yet sarcastic atmosphere but I learned so much! I was challenged to name the majority of bones and muscles in the body but also learn how they work and their significance.  This directly correlates with orthopedic surgery.  Human A&P has allowed me to participate more thoroughly in my mentorship and enhance my learning ability.   

Week 11/03

http://growingleaders.com/blog/first-soft-skill-develop-students/

Being involved in business affairs can be messy for the youth.  The youth, as stated in the article, has a tendency to become too attached to gossip, stubbornness and immature attitudes.  This creates issues for corporations as well as many professional environments.  The young adults fresh out of college sees him or herself as a prime associate and free to do as he or she pleases, when in reality, the young adult needs to prove him or herself worthy and responsible as any new employer should. With this being said, social intelligence is a must. Social intelligence includes when to speak up and when to shut up.  It always consists of being quick to adjust to others’ behaviors and working with a diverse range of colleagues.  This can be important through any endeavor because often relationships have the impact to make or break the associate and even the company.  If an associate were to show up to a company event dressed inappropriately or with behavioral signs of arrogance, etc. the employee would most likely be demoted. 

                “The First Soft Skill to Develop in Students” touched on the fact that past generations’ youth did not have nearly as many issues as today’s youth.  Teens and young adults in the past, treated their bosses with respect and gratitude, whereas today, the youth struts in “many treating the work place like their dorm space.”  If the youth would learn self-awareness and respect, it would be a game changer in the world of business.

Comments on Others' Blogs

Breanna Benton
Post: 10/26/14
http://breannabenton.blogspot.com/

Allison Walls
Post: Week of October 20, 2014
http://allisonwallshmp.wordpress.com/

Write Up

My Profile: I am currently a senior at Flowery Branch High School and an elite level soccer player.  I have played for competitive club teams within the state as well as the country.  In addition, I have lettered every year for the Lady Falcon Women’s Varsity Soccer team.  As a student athlete, I have explored my interests academically that also apply to my athletics.  This quickly led me to orthopedics, as it often deals with athletic injuries.  Taking courses such as Human Anatomy and AP Biology have increased my knowledge on subjects dealing with the body and its functions, further enticing my interests.  My work load can be strenuous as I intern nearly every morning with a renowned orthopedic surgeon, study to enrich academic success and competitively enhance my fitness but I enjoy every minute because I am doing something I genially enjoy

My Mentorship: After realizing my strong interest in orthopedics, I applied to participate in the Hall County Honors Mentorship Program devoted to students serious about perusing a particular career. I was so lucky to be placed under Dr. Borrow, orthopedic surgeon, at Longstreet Clinic Sports Medicine in Buford, Georgia. Nearly every morning, I follow Dr. Borrow as she oversees patients and decides what the next step in each case should be. I see what it takes to be a successful orthopedic surgeon, through the struggles and successes. I follow her as she analyzes x-rays, views patients, diagnoses and determines a way to fix an injury, and other tedious tasks involved.

My Future: I plan on attending a University of excellence (the specific one is still undecided) and majoring in a field that leads to Med- School and so on. The journey that leads to medical careers is a long and hard one with a need for intense focus and determination, but with the right mindset it can definitely be achieved.

Orthopedic Perception (10/16)

The field of orthopedics is filled with interesting concepts, and I have been fortunate enough to take classes such as Biology and Human Anatomy to enrich my knowledge of these subjects. However, after starting my internship with orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Borrow, I have learned something new everyday.  My perception of orthopedic surgery has changed in the sense that I know more concepts and how orthopedics actually work. I was surprised to see how interactive Dr. Borrow is with each of her patients and how she genuinely she cares about their improvement and well being.  From spending nearly every weekday with Dr. Borrow and her associates I have learned that even through the more tedious tasks such as scheduling and paper work they are extremely crucial for the surgeon and PA to perform with ease.  For instance, one patient was scheduled for an appointment dealing with her shoulder under a certain insurance company, but she also had knee issues.  However, she had been dealing with her knee pain and injuries under a different insurance plan and due to hospital and state regulations she needed to make a different appointment to discus her knees.