Kelley Saunders: Alzheimer's in the Lab & Clinic BACK

Published by AFAR

So far, my experience with the MSTAR program has been fantastic. I am doing research at the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute (BAI) in Phoenix, AZ. My project is working with the Arizona Alzheimer’s Registry, a database designed to appropriately match people with research projects currently conducted at sites in the Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium. At this point, I am still extracting data from the registry for statistical analysis and every step of the process has been a learning experience. As a newcomer to scholarly inquiry and manuscript writing, I have a lot to learn and luckily have tremendous mentors that are excited to teach.

Every week BAI and its clinic staff hold a case conference that is attended by Geriatric fellows, psychiatry residents, nurses, PAs, social workers, students, and other physicians. The cases presented at these conferences are selected for a variety of reasons: the complexity of the presenting illness, difficulty managing medications, challenging family dynamics, or atypical scenarios. Each conference has increased my knowledge about different types of dementias and how they are managed clinically. This is one of my favorite activities of the week.

Although I truly enjoy the research that I am doing, there is nothing more rewarding than working directly with patients. I have been asked to complete cognitive testing on a few patients at their clinic visits. Working with dementia patients one-on-one reminds me of why it is that I chose to go into medicine in the first place. To see the devastation that this disease can have on a patient and their loved ones is heart breaking. However, it is comforting to see that we can help these families navigate this illness both medically and non-pharmacologically. It is possible to have a positive impact on their lives by providing comprehensive care—something I hope to continue throughout my training and future career in medicine.

Kelley T. Saunders
University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix

 

"Diary of an MSTAR Student" follows scholars in the 2011 Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program, highlighting their summer experiences. As they continue their path of research, training and clinical practice, read their daily thoughts at www.afar.org/mstarblog. New diary entries are posted every day, so check back soon.