Neurobiology to Reality

February community service: 12 hours 

Spring Semester total: 17 hours 

This month's service hours were an experience. These past few weeks' in-class lectures, we are currently learning about the CNS and its diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, stroke, seizures, and epilepsy. Coming from a biology major my undergrad classes mainly focused on the human body, cellular mechanisms, and the general scope of biology. Currently finishing up the neurobiology module, a particular module I found great interest in compared to other lectures we had completed in this program. The mechanisms, functions, and pharmacokinetics of drugs relating to the current diseases and the neurological pathways gave me a completely different approach to the function of the brain. Recently on one of my service days in the hospital, I was able to visually see a patient who had a stroke during a parade in Mardi Gras. The patient was 50 years old (a pretty young man) and had a generalized stroke attack on one of the main busy streets in downtown New Orleans. Gladly, there were medical professionals that immediately assessed the patient and called 911. On his arrival at UMC, I was able to be behind the action of the emergency trauma unit and they quickly treated the patient. This fast-paced environment and the flood of medical professionals coming into the room were a bit hectic and chaotic during the time of evaluating and assessing the young man,  however, I was able to confirm that every single second counts. Literally a matter of life and death. This patient has a previous medical history of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular factors that did have some type of relation to the stroke occurring. Overall this month during my service hours in the hospital and in lectures I have gained much understanding and knowledge on neurological pathways.