Day 5

Holding our coins from MRC and RADM Moritsugu 

 Last day of the internship started off with our Project Presentations. Most of the interns spent the whole night finalizing and preparing for this presentation. We each had different projects that met our interest. Topics included: Investment Payback, Youth Engagement Guide (both student and advisor perspectives), MRC Mentorship Program, Use of Social Media, as well as Twitter Tracking. Everyone was full of anxiety and excitement. As each of us presented in front of most of the MRC Office of Surgeon General Staff, along with National HOSA on conference call, we were able to give our insight and input to enhancing MRC. At the end, the Office complimented each of our projects and thanked us for making a difference. It surprised all of us how humble the staff members were and respectful. They truly listened to our insights and brainstormed ways to make a better future. Once our presentations were finished, we all came around in a circle to discuss what we liked about the internship program and what we could improve.  One thing for sure that all the interns agreed with is that it is a life changing experience! All of us came expecting to narrow our goals in the health field; however, the internship broadened our perspectives and opened numerous doors of opportunity. If there is one thing we learned from this internship is that always plan, but do not become obsessive over the plan for everything changes and never goes the way you plan. Instead, the process of planning leads you to even more opportunities. After the discussion, each one of the interns were awarded with a certificate signed by Acting Surgeon General Lusniak and Captain Tossato and were given a MRC platinum coin. Then we made a trip to a local Taco Truck. Even then, the learning did not stop. Captain Tossato told us that wherever he gets deployed, he always tries new food. He then told us that one needs to explore and stay open minded in order to succeed. Our adventures did not end at the taco truck. We ended our last two lectures from Officer Greg Davis and Allison Roper from Health People 2020. Roper gave a brief of a program called Healthy Living. It is a program that helps people make healthier choices. She mentioned that this program is not only used in governmental branches, but also corporations and partners- even HOSA can partake in the program! Her brief opened another perspective regarding policy. Many of us think why not change this and that because of studies that we’ve read. However, it is not just about the case study. When deciding to change policy, you have to consider the side effects, social well-being, and even finances. For example, just because studies show that adolescent show improvement in performance if school starts later, doesn’t mean we can just change school start times. The policy contains transportation systems and even family situations-what if the adolescent has to come home before the younger sibling in order to baby-sit them. The family is then placed with a financial burden, if the school times change and the younger child comes home first.  On the other hand, Officer Davis shared with us about policy regarding Uniformed Services, including the new Tobacco Policy- where no one in uniform can smoke cigarettes. Part of this policy is to campaign “actions speak louder than words.” Once all the lectures were finished, we said our last goodbyes with the Office of Surgeon General Staff. We left them a card of appreciation, although it cannot express fully our thankful hearts of all that they have taught us. Everyone felt like family; it was hard to say goodbye. The staff constantly reminded us to reach out to them in times of need, that our internship does not end with this week, but continues for life. Once an OSG intern, you’re always an OSG intern. ENS Trey Draude dropped us off at the hotel and escorted us to the door and saluted goodbye. We want to give a special shout out to him for all that he has done for us. We wish him the best in his journey. All the high-ranked officers were inspirational, but ENS Draude definitely inspired us throughout the week to go and achieve our dreams! His passion for health care and caring manor was truly inspiring. We thank HOSA and the Office of Surgeon General for providing all of us with this unique, life-changing experience. Thank you.

Group photo with Officer Davis