Week 2: Alessandra Coogan

 Alessandra Coogan | Clinical Mentor: Dr. Scott Rodeo, HSS

This week was packed with exciting opportunities both in the clinic and in research.

Last Friday, I paired up with Iqra, another student in my cohort, to observe a pacemaker implantation procedure. It was fascinating to watch the surgical team guide the leads into the heart and test different stimulation thresholds to determine the optimal settings before securing the pacemaker. Dr. Jim Cheung and his fellows were very kind in explaining each step of the procedure as it unfolded. One aspect that surprised me was that the patient remained lightly conscious for much of the operation, which allowed the team to monitor responses and ensure proper device placement. The procedure itself was remarkably minimally invasive!

I also had the opportunity to shadow both Dr. Claire Eliasberg and Dr. Scott Rodeo in clinic on separate days. Observing patient interactions was just as educational as watching procedures. While each physician has a distinct style, both followed a systematic approach to evaluating patients, often beginning with a series of movements and physical examinations to assess mobility, pain, and joint function. Because many patients present with similar issues involving the hip, knee, shoulder, or elbow, it was interesting to see how certain explanations and educational points were repeated and adapted for each individual. The experience also reinforced how much anxiety many patients bring into the exam room and how important physician communication is in helping them feel informed and reassured. As an added bonus, I met a famous individual while shadowing Dr. Rodeo, which was cool!

One thing that stood out was the pace of clinic. Both physicians spent long hours moving from patient to patient with very few breaks. I also noticed how coordinated their workflow was with their physician assistants, who often provided quick updates before each visit. This helped minimize delays and keep clinic moving efficiently, but also left little downtime.

On the research side, I was finally able to begin working with data generated from recent experiments. I started exploring imaging and modeling workflows using Dragonfly software with plans on developing an SOP for processing these datasets.

Looking ahead, I am especially excited for Friday, when I will be shadowing Dr. Rodeo in the operating room. Two of the scheduled procedures involve meniscal repair or meniscectomy, making them particularly relevant to my research interests. I am looking forward to seeing how the clinical management of meniscal injuries connects with the questions we are investigating in the lab and will write more about those experiences next week.

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