At the intersection of engineering and medicine sits Alexandra Mandewo, a rising senior studying biomedical engineering (BME) with a minor in public health. Her interests in both emerging medical devices and global health policy led her to the Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program.
The Fellowship Program, launched in 2018, provides an immersive experience in a clinical setting for students seeking to broaden their understanding of global healthcare practices and build connections across cultures. Through this selective program, Mandewo spent two weeks shadowing physicians and healthcare professionals in Milan and experiencing Italian culture.
Mandewo discovered the program while searching for something that combines her love of travel with professional development to assist her in becoming a holistic healthcare professional. Having previously had the opportunity to shadow clinicians in GW’s Occupational Therapy (OT) Program’s outpatient department, this program was a way for her to gain additional clinical experience.
Every day Mandewo spent in the hospital was different, allowing her to observe countless procedures. Beginning with an ACL reconstruction, she also witnessed a pneumonectomy (lung removal), multiple laparoscopic cholecystectomies (gallbladder removals), a gastric bypass, and a carotid endarterectomy (plaque removal from the carotid artery in the neck).
“My studies in BME gave me a basic understanding of anatomy and physiology, so when they were discussing the different procedures, I had a basic understanding that I was able to build on,” Mandewo stated.
In Milan, Doctors in Italy partners with the Multimedica Group, which encompasses both a research-focused institute, the IRCCS Multimedica Research Hospital, and a general hospital, the San Giuseppe Hospital. This unique combination was the perfect backdrop for a BME student like Mandewo, as it touches on her interest in innovative devices and demonstrates how research can be integrated into daily clinical operations.
Mandewo observed that, while the same tools are utilized as in the U.S., Italian physicians approach treatment and teaching students very differently. They emphasized to her that, unlike medical concepts outlined in textbooks, there is more than one way to reach the goal of helping a patient. For instance, the waste generated by medical practices inspired her to explore a business that could help reduce waste while maintaining sterility.
“Applying that philosophy to myself, it shows me that there’s not just one way to enter the healthcare field and have the same impact,” said Mandewo. “That was really comforting for me to hear since I’m about to graduate in less than a year.”
Outside of the hospital, Mandewo pushed herself to become more comfortable being independent and growing her Italian language skills by taking solo adventures around the city. She also built connections with other fellows by attending group dinners organized by the program twice a week, as well as a group day trip to Lake Como.
Mandewo leaves this experience with a deepened sense of how cultures influence healthcare practices and patient interactions and a renewed interest in integrating engineering and medicine in her career. Using a global perspective on patient care, she aims to contribute innovative solutions that address the varied needs of all patients, no matter where they are.