Luther Junior Brenna Gibbons Participates in Biology Internship

DECORAH, IA (03/13/2012)(readMedia)-- Brenna Gibbons, a Luther College junior from Coon Valley, Wis., was one of four Luther students who participated in a month-long internship at Winneshiek Medical Center.

Gibbons, the daughter of Tom and Ann Gibbons of Coon Valley, is a biology major at Luther. She is a 2009 graduate of Westby Area High School.

The internships, offered annually during the college's January term, offer students an immersion experience by shadowing practitioners from various departments in the hospital, including family practice, radiology, midwifery, and the surgical and emergency rooms.

"This internship was very valuable toward my goal of becoming a physician," said Gibbons. "I was able to follow the practitioners through their routines, observe their interactions with patients, and view the authentic demands and rewards of the career."

During the internship, Gibbons observed a variety of medical procedures, ranging from scheduled exams in the clinic to surgeries and emergency room patient care.

"I was impressed by the advanced technology available in the rural hospital setting," said Gibbons. "I witnessed a cataract surgery with a giant overhead microscope allowing the surgeons to perform an extremely precise procedure."

Gibbons also observed an arthroscopic knee surgery and reconstructive hip surgery during the internship.

"One of the most important aspects I observed during the internship was the importance of the relationships built between practitioners and patients," said Gibbons. "It truly is a special aspect of patient care."

Gibbons was selected for the Winneshiek Medical Center internship through an application process by the Luther Biology Department. Students were required to write daily journals, weekly reflective essays on their experiences, and a final research paper on a topic that intrigued them during the internship experience.

During the 2012 January term, approximately 30 Luther students participated in biology internships related to medical, research and environmental experiences throughout the Midwest and nation.