My internal medicine rotation at North Shore University Hospital was one of the most enjoyable and educational experiences I’ve had so far in PA school. Going into the rotation, I honestly thought internal medicine might be repetitive or less exciting than some of the other specialties. However, I quickly realized how dynamic and intellectually stimulating it really is. The patients we cared for had an incredibly broad range of medical conditions, many of which were just as complex and multifaceted as those seen in the emergency department. Every day presented new diagnostic challenges, and I was constantly exposed to complicated cases that strengthened my clinical reasoning.

My preceptor, Dawn Coburn, created an excellent learning environment. She was incredibly kind, patient, and genuinely made an effort to expose me to as many learning opportunities as possible. She encouraged questions, took time to explain her clinical thought process, and made me feel like an active member of the team. One of my favorite parts of the rotation was being able to follow the same patient over multiple days. Seeing how their clinical picture evolved, how laboratory values changed, and how treatment plans were adjusted gave me a much deeper appreciation for continuity of care than I had experienced on previous rotations.

Another aspect of the rotation that I found especially valuable was reviewing consultant recommendations. I learned so much by comparing my own assessment and plan with those of the consulting services, including cardiology, nephrology, infectious disease, gastroenterology, and others. Reading their notes helped me understand not only what they recommended, but also the reasoning behind their diagnostic workup and management decisions. It gave me a better appreciation for multidisciplinary care and showed me how different specialties approach the same patient from unique perspectives.

I also had the opportunity to spend time in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, which was one of the highlights of the rotation. I observed a cardiac biopsy, watched a cardiac catheterization with stent placement, and saw invasive hemodynamic pressure measurements being performed. These experiences helped connect concepts I had previously only learned in the classroom with real patient care and gave me a much better understanding of interventional cardiology.

Beyond patient care, I appreciated how invested the providers were in teaching. They frequently took extra time to discuss different medical topics, review interesting cases, and even made learning fun by playing games like Doctordle with us. Those small moments created a welcoming learning environment and reinforced important medical knowledge in an engaging way.

Overall, this rotation completely changed my perspective on internal medicine. I now understand why so many experienced clinicians recommend it as an excellent first job for new graduate PAs. The breadth of pathology, constant exposure to complex medical decision-making, and collaborative nature of the specialty create endless opportunities for growth. I left this rotation with stronger clinical reasoning skills, greater confidence in managing medically complex patients, and a newfound appreciation for internal medicine as a specialty that continues to challenge and teach you every day.

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