Scholars Practicum: Spring 2023

Presenter: Salma Younis, Neuroscience, Global Public Health Scholars

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For my practicum project, I worked as a student intern at the Food and Drug Administration under the Office of Orthopedic Devices. I was able to work both in person in White Oak and virtually. My role was to work with other student interns and our supervisors to review and collect data regarding orthopedic devices, including surgical meshes, total hip replacements, and cervical cages. I was able to gather information regarding the most successful devices and their safety and effectiveness in surgery. I learned about the demographics of the people undergoing procedures as well, and how different groups are impacted by their accessibility to these areas of healthcare. I learned about the process of reviewing and evaluating the efficacy of surgical devices before they enter the market, and I learned about how clinical and animal testing is used in an ethical manner to protect the safety of individuals. In terms of public health, my practicum allowed me to work with a team dedicated to finding the best possible options for the largest number of people, ranging from children to adults of both sexes. Our team meetings consisted of supervisors pointing out flaws or possible difficulties that could come with entering a device into the market. In addition, I was able to attend multiple seminars that strayed away from orthopedics and focused on many current issues in public health, such as women’s sexual health, respiratory diseases, and mental health evaluations.