ENS Carmen Carroll

Drake University

Eight and half weeks in a male, minimum-security prison... The thought of this, upon learning of my assignment, was both exhilarating and somewhat frightening. Many people could not understand why I would want to spend my summer in a prison administering health care. But the administration of health care was exactly why I wanted to go; I greatly looked forward to the interactions I would have and the challenge the environment would present.

My internship involved medication dispensing, counseling, staff and patient education, ensuring that all inmates allergies were correctly entered into our computer database, researching and presenting a CME, performing a DUE on a specific class of medications, and interviewing two inmates. For my CME and DUE I researched HIV medications, which led me into research involving the complexity of the disease itself and the drug therapy management of it. I found this project very interesting and I enjoyed the many hours I put into it. Presenting the CME to the staff was also fun for me to do, as I enjoy doing that sort of thing.

Overall, I am very happy with my internship, and found it very fulfilling. It helped me understand what my strengths and weaknesses are, which will be beneficial as I enter into the final two years of school. However, the best part of my internship was the health care team with which I worked. My preceptor was a very good mentor, and a highly honored BOP pharmacist. Working with one of the best in the field was very exciting and I enjoyed the opportunity to learn from her. Our MD and our PA's were always willing to answer any queries I had and allowed me to experience and see a lot of things.

Everyone in the facility was always friendly and welcoming, and the entire medical staff took it upon themselves to integrate me into the prison. By touring the prison, I was able to get a feel of the environment that our patient's experienced, which likewise allowed me to see the impact of the prison environment on our health care delivery.

I would highly suggest a BOP JrCOSTEP to any person who wants to be a part of a medical team, and who is willing to meet the challenge that the prison creates to deliver health care.

I will be starting my 5th year this fall. (3rd professional year).
August, 2000