Healthcare Internship Reflection | Cancer Center

Healthcare Internship Reflection | Cancer Center Crystal Mullen Last month I received the privilege of being hired to work as a secretary for The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. As the name implies their sole focus and overall market involves finding cures and treatments for cancer. In fact they operate on a very aggressive mission to completely eliminate cancer by integrating patient care, prevention, and research programs. Furthermore, MD Anderson provides education about cancer research, prevention, and treatment information that ranges from their graduate and undergraduate programs at the University of Texas to MD Anderson employees and even to the general public (University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014). Finally though not exhaustively, MD Anderson seeks to become and remain a world renowned cancer center through science, excellent people, and research-driven patient care. The motto for MD Anderson is â€Å"We are Making Cancer History (University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014)†. One of the biggest surprises I learned when I began working for MD Anderson is that although their sole focus is eliminating cancer, that singular mission is has multiple areas of focus. This is because they have incomparable resources and a wealth of capabilities, MD Anderson is exceptionally qualified to increase the pace of transforming scientific discoveries regarding cancer into innovative clinical treatments and advances that lower the number of deaths due to cancer deaths. Their discoveries have lead MD Anderson to divide their work into six forms of cancer – otherwise known to them as â€Å"moon shots†. Along with those moon shots, MD Anderson focuses a great deal of science, research and patient care on Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. The cancers listed in the moon shot program include breast and ovarian, Leukemia (ALM / MDS), Leukemia (CLL), Lung, Melanoma, and prostate. These six moon shots, along with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, will ultimately lead to cures for all types of cancer (Moon Shots Program, 2014). BREAST AND OVARIAN MD Anderson’s moon shot program for breast and ovarian cancer concentrates on triple-negative breast cancer and on high-grade serous ovarian cancer. These concentrations have resulted in exciting, innovative projects that often results in the quick detection and treatment of these deadly cancers. One aspect of the moon shot program for breast and ovarian cancer involves universal genetic testing. Patients diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer and high-grade serous ovarian cancer are provided genetic counseling and testing. Furthermore, MD Anderson reaches out to at risk family members to immediately identify individuals for preventive screening. Another aspect of the moon shot program for breast and ovarian cancer involves pinpointing genetic markers/mutations to discover how these cancers respond and then adapt to cancer treatments. This data will helps physicians develop individualized treatment plans for each of their patients. Finally though not exhaustively, a thir d aspect of the moon shot program for breast and ovarian cancer involves early detection. The cancer investigators for MD Anderson focus on biomarkers that appear promising to identify and study these cancers in their earliest stages to provide better treatment conclusions (Moon Shots Breast and Ovarian, 2014). LEUKEMIA (AML/MDS) One of MD Anderson’s moon shot program for leukemia involves acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) leukemia. These two diseases are being combatted by tacking drug resistance, applying supercomputing, artificial intelligence, and AML targeted therapy such as blood stem cell transplants. First of all, AML/MDS Moon Shot strives to understand a class of drugs that form the molecular basis of drug resistance to find alternative therapies that circumvents this challenge. Furthermore, AML/MDS Moon Shot is developing a new, innovative system that takes advanced supercomputing technology and integrates this technology with individualized research data into a secure database. Advanced analytics, combined with the technology of IBM’s Watson, otherwise known as the world’s smartest computer, enables clinicians to collect new insights for patient care and research. Finally, though not exhaustively, the moon shot engages in another research option f or AML / MDS involves blood stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy. This form of research has an excellent record of both improving the safety and impact of this form of treatment (Moon Shots Leukemia (AML/MDS), 2014). LEUKEMIA (CLL) Another one of MD Anderson’s moon shot program for leukemia involves chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), MD Anderson has made great progress in this against this form of cancer. Scientists and physicians has driven one this most common form of adult leukemia close to the brink of extinction. This has been accomplished by developing cutting edge drug therapies and taking immunotherapy to eliminate residual CLL. First of all, the CLL Moon Shot team is actively studying a breakthrough class of drugs that thwarts the critical signaling in the malignant cells. These experimental drugs have proven to be excellent at preventing CLL cells from signaling their dramatic effect on the leukemic cells while creating minimal impact on other healthy cells. Furthermore, there is an additional CLL moon shot is famous for developing immunotherapy techniques to locate and destroy the remaining CLL (Moon Shots: Leukemia (CLL), 2014). LUNG Lung cancer is the most pervasive impact on our population out of other cancers. Because of its massive spread throughout the U.S. population, MD Anderson lists lung cancer as one of their Moon Shots Program. This particular battle is fought on three fronts: prevention, early detection, and treatment of advanced disease. First of all, because 80% of all lung cancers are tobacco based, the Lung Cancer Moon Shot program has launched initiatives to help in the prevention of tobacco based lung such as personalized tobacco cessation programs, social media, and referrals to successful tobacco treatment programs. Furthermore, through early detection of lung cancer diagnosing, the rate for a cure greatly increases. MD Anderson has played a significant role in the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NLST) that deaths by lung cancer are often lowered by as much as 20% when smokers were screened early with the use of a low-dose CT scan. Finally, MD Anderson has found treatment options for pat ients with advanced stage lung cancer haven’t changed much in the last 20 years so they intend on redirecting this trend with a new program called the GEMINI Project. This uses the latest cutting edge technologies to conduct a lung cancer profile from a molecular perspective. This will bypass carpet-bombing the cancer with non-specific chemotherapies in favor of using specifically targeted therapies, which is more like â€Å"smart bombing the lung tumors without any damaging side effects (Moon Shots: Lung, 2014). MELANOMA Because instances of melanoma and skin cancer deaths have risen over the past 50 years, MD Anderson’s moon shot scientists and physicians have attacked this form of cancer through prevention and through personalized integrated management of the cancer. The MD Anderson melanoma team pursues an aggressive prevention campaign to reduce the exposure to UV light in both children and adolescents with an innovative, all-inclusive program that includes both behavioral interventions and educational outreach to discourage excessive sun exposure through tanning and replace that activity with alternative sun protection practices. Furthermore, the moon shot team uses individualized and cohesive and management of melanoma. If patients are diagnosed early surgery is usually the next step. Although many forms of melanoma are resistant to treatments scientific breakthroughs in researching this diseases have led to this disease the development new immunotherapy agents that accurately and effect ively combats even the more advanced stages of melanoma (Moon Shots: Melanoma, 2014). PROSTATE The last form of cancer listed in the Moon Shot program is prostate cancer. The National Cancer Institute, has estimated there will be 238,590 new cases diagnosed this year, resulting in approximately 30,000. I order to lower the mortality rate of this form of cancer, the Prostate Cancer Moon Shot program has concentrated on three areas: lowering instances of overtreatment; combining therapies used in advanced and early stages of the disease; and creating targeted therapies, such as immunotherapy as an alternative to traditional treatment methods. The goal is to use these treatment and therapy options in order to effectively and timely shift the process from simply treating to actually curing prostate cancer (Moon Shots: Prostate, 2014). NON-HODGKINS LYMPHOMA Although not part of the â€Å"Moon Shots† program, MD Anderson is aggressively fighting against, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. At MD Anderson their goal is to treat this form of cancer with new treatments that are tailored to each patient and using targeted, biological agents that empower a human body to combat the cancer. Our teams of specialized physicians, as well as support staff including nurses, physician assistants, dietitians, social workers and many others, work closely together – and with you – to give you higher chance for successful treatment (Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma). Conclusion: Based on what I’ve read, and what I’ve observed working at this health system, I believe MD Anderson, is successful in treating the multiple forms of cancer. In fact, if there was a brand new form of cancer to emerge, I would think this cancer center would have the equipment, the technology and the clinical personnel to combat this newest manifestation of cancer. My only recommendation is that they maintain the current list if cancers found in their â€Å"moon shots† while also addressing other cancerous diseases. If this is done they will only continue to grow in their success. References Center, U. o. (2014). Moon Shots Breast and Ovarian. Retrieved June 22, 2014, from MD Anderson.org: http://www.cancermoonshots.org/moon-shots/breast-ovarian/ University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. (2014). About Us. Retrieved June 22, 2014, from MD Anderson.org: http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/index.html University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. (2014). Moon Shots Leukemia (AML/MDS). Retrieved June 22, 2014, from MD Anderson.org: http://www.cancermoonshots.org/moon-shots/leukemia-aml-mds/ University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. (2014). Moon Shots Program. Retrieved June 22, 2014, from MD Andderson.org: http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/facts-and-history/moon-shots-program/index.html University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. (2014). Moon Shots: Leukemia (CLL). Retrieved June 22, 2014, from MD Anderson.org: http://www.cancermoonshots.org/moon-shots/leukemia-cll/ University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. (2014). Moon Shots: Lung. Retrieved June 22, 2014, from MD Anderson Cancer Center: http://www.cancermoonshots.org/moon-shots/lung/ University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. (2014). Moon Shots: Melanoma. Retrieved June 22, 2014, from MD Anderson Cancer Center: http://www.cancermoonshots.org/moon-shots/melanoma/ University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. (2014). Moon Shots: Prostate. Retrieved June 22, 2014, from MD Anderson.org: http://www.cancermoonshots.org/moon-shots/prostate/ University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. (n.d.). Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Retrieved June 22, 2014, from MD Anderson.org: http://www.mdanderson.org/patient-and-cancer-information/cancer-information/cancer-types/non-hodgkins-lymphoma/index.html

Family Values and The Status of The Traditional American Family Essay

When one thinks of the term family values, many different ideas can come to mind. Morals, religion, beliefs, tradition, expectation, controversy, and misuse are some things that may come to mind when the term â€Å"family values† is mentioned. The true definition and meaning of family values can most likely never be directly pinpointed, but it is always going to be a known fact that family values are always going to have different meanings to different people. It is the common misunderstanding that family values are just simply the things that shape a growing persons values and morals. From a the beginning of a child’s life, they are instilled with values to go by in the life that lies ahead of them by either their own family or the people that are going to be in charge of raising them. A child is corrected on the mistakes that they make, and taught what is right and wrong. Following this tough process of teaching a child what is right and wrong, moreover how to tell the difference on there own. Family values are not necessarily always taught within the limits of the family. For those families that hold strong religious beliefs, values can also be taught in church through lectures, Sunday school, and other religious gatherings. In this situation, it is usually told to the child that the values learned in church are directly related to the values taught and practiced within the family and that the two should both be taken with the same token and used the same in real-world situations. It is always a true test of the strength of an individual’s values when situations are presented to them that go against their values but also seem like a good idea at the time. It is then that a person has to make a decision to either d... ...mily. For example, families could drop their young off at Sunday school every week expecting them to absorb proper values from people that may not even be that familiar. Media such as movies and television can also be overly relied on to teach good values and morals to young. Parents will sometimes stick their children in front of what they consider an â€Å"educational† program and expect that they will be instilled with positive traits which they themselves may not even possess. Family values are definitely things commonly misunderstood by American culture today. The true definition of family values are the morals passed through generations of a particular family that are considered to be correct. The true meaning of the term may differ from family to family but the root idea is always going to be the same: family values are the things that make us who we are.

Depicting the Various Traits and Characteristics of Leadership in Liter

Depicting the Various Traits and Characteristics of Leadership in Literature When discussing any triumphant or flourishing organization or institution, the main attribute which will always surface when examining the true fabric of what allows a particular organization or institution to excel, will always be leadership.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Leadership is portrayed at its pinnacle in William Bratton’s Turnaround, Rudolph Giuliani’s book Leadership, Oren Harari’s book The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell, and David Lipsky’s book Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point. In each of these works, the author does an exceptional job of depicting the various traits and characteristics necessary for being a powerful and effective leader.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   William Bratton, born and raised in Boston, was appointed as New York City’s new police commissioner by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani on December 2, 1993. William Bratton was a leader who spent his whole life turning around low-performing, dysfun-ctional police departments. It was his specialty and it soon became his trademark. Bill Bratton hit the ground running as the commissioner of police by implementing several policies and visions that he had, that many believed would be unfathomable in policing. His goals were revolutionary and unprecedented and would not be possible to achieve if not for his incredible leadership ability. His ability as an effective leader allowed him to select intelligent, experienced, and quality individuals who shared identical beliefs and visions as he did. Any leader would agree that anything is possible through optimism, intelligent planning, and preparation, but nothing is possible if your chosen â€Å"executives† lack the leader’s confid ence to operate freely and carry out the organization’s ultimate goals. Bratton was a believer in Theodore Roosevelt’s ideology that â€Å"the best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self- restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.† Bratton was a master motivator. His optimism rubbed off on everyone around him and this reflected their performance. He had a belief that â€Å"leadership is the ability to enthuse and encourage the people in your organization so highly that, whatever idea is put into action, they embrace it so fully they forget the genesis and assume it was their own† (Bratton pg.155). This was Br... ...spects of what makes up an effective leader, it is clear that there cannot be one clear- cut and dry definition of what a leader is. A leader is a make up of many different attributes and qualities. An effective Leader encompasses all of the attributes which go along with facilitating ideas and allowing an organization to grow and flourish, as well as inspiring and motivating those he or she oversees to do the same. A Leader has the ability and almost the reflex action to surface when it is time for a difficult task to be accomplished or a difficult decision to be made. Leadership may be a type of management but a manager is not always a leader. â€Å"Leadership is the art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible.† Works Cited   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Bratton, W., & Knobler, P. (1998). Turnaround: How America’s Top Cop Reversed the Crime Epidemic. New York: Random House Press.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Giuliani, R.W., & Kurson, K. (2002). Leadership. New York: Hyperion Press.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Harari, O. (2002). The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell. New York: McGraw- Hill Press.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Lipsky, D. (2004). Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point. New York: Vintage Books Press.

Serial Killers and Mass Murderers :: Murder Violence Crime Serial Killers Essays

Serial Killers and Mass Murderers Mass Murderers and Serial Killers are nothing new to today’s society. These vicious killers are all violent, brutal monsters and have an abnormal urge to kill. What gives people these urges to kill? What motivates them to keep killing? Do these killers get satisfaction from killing? Is there a difference between mass murderers and serial killers or are they the same. How do they choose their victims and what are some of their characteristics? These questions and many more are reasons why I was eager to write my paper on mass murderers and serial killers. However, the most interesting and sought after questions are the ones that have always been controversial. One example is; what goes on inside the mind of a killer? In this paper I will try to develop a better understanding of these driven killers and their motives. Although mass murderers and serial killers are both dangerous and somewhat sick people, there are several distinct characteristics of each that put them in different categories. The most distinct differences between the two are; Most mass killers kill several victims over a relatively short period of time, usually hours, but sometimes days (Murder 1). Serial killers most often kill his or her victims separately, over a much longer period of time, sometimes lasting several years until the killer is taken into custody by authorities or killed. If a mass killer’s murders are committed in more than just a single location, then they are part of a continuous action (Murder 1). Their victims are usually chosen at random, not just killed at first sight. Their targets may also come in specific groups. More than occasionally, a mass murderer will take his own life after his urge to kill is over. This is possibly because authorities recognize the killer is unstable and are likely to shoot the killer in order to protect themselves. A typical mass murderer uses a semi-automatic weapon and plots his murders to be made in a school, university, or restaurant (murder 1). Serial killers commonly attack a single target at a time one on one. There also tends to be no or very little relation between the person being killed and the killer (murder 1). â€Å"The nature of this drive has been heavily debated, but there is a consensus on some points (Anderson 1).† Many researchers have noted sexual behavior in the murder.

Identifying the Aspects of My Self-Picture Essay

Identifying The Aspects Of My Self-Picture Rachelle Spahr RX1020 Pharmacy Technician August 15, 2013 Professor Broome Identifying the Aspects of My Self-Picture Identifying the aspects of my self-picture that are not working for me wasn’t hard to  accomplish. The things that do work for me on the other hand, are a little more difficult toidentify. I am however, learning how to diminish the negative thinking, to make room for the  positive. Negativity plays havoc on your mindset. I would think things like; I am not smart enough to succeed in furthering my education and I will never amount to anything. Once I failed at something I’d stop trying, believing I can’t fail if I don’t try. Thoughts like these were crippling, keeping me from bettering myself. I have learned quite a bit from reading the Think Build Live Success books. Using the techniques; Challenging negative judgments and replacing destructive judgments, I feel I now have the power to change this self-destructive pattern. I have a lot of past failures and disappointments to learn from. Instead of destructive thinking when I do fail, I will think about what didn’t work and how I can change it for a  successful outcome the next time. In life you have to be open to change, the world changes all the time. Making adjustments in my thinking, will give me the power to make my life how I want it. My failures will strengthen me, but I will no longer allow negative thoughts play their caustic role in my life.

Can You Find Me Now

How is a Nintendo Wii game console able to determine the location of a Wii Remote while a player interacts with a game? The answer is triangulation, a process that determines the location of any object by measuring the angles from two or more fixed points. Surveyors often use triangulation to measure distance. Starting at a known location and elevation, surveyors measure a length to create a base line and then use a theodolite to measure an angle to an unknown pint from each side of the base line (Jains, 2012, pp. 30-48). The length of the base line and the two known angles allow a computer or person to determine the location of a third point. Similarly, the Nintendo Wii game console uses triangulation to determine the location of a Wii Remote. A player places a sensor bar, which contains two infrared transmitters, near or on top of a television. While the player uses the Wii Remote, the Wii game console determine the remote’s location by calculating the distance and angles between the Wii Remote and the two transmitters on the sensor bar. Determining the location of a Wii Remote is relatively simple because the sensor bar contains only two fixed points: the transmitters. A more complex application of triangulation occurs in a global positioning system (GPS). A GPS consists of one or more earth-based receivers that accept and analyze signals sent by satellites to determine a receiver’s geographic location. GPS receivers, found in handled navigation devices and many vehicles, use triangulation to determine their location relative to at least three geostationary satellites. According to Sanders, the geostationary satellites are the fixed points in the triangulation formula (Understanding Satellites and Global Positioning Systems). The next time you pass a surveyor, play a Nintendo Wii, or follow a route suggested by a vehicle’s navigation system, keep in mind that none of it might have been possible without the concept of triangulation. ?

English Paper on Holes Essay

The film codes and conventions are greatly used in the movie Holes, directed by Andrew Davis, to construct characters and develop the atmosphere. The film is about a young boy, Stanley Yelnats, who is falsely accused of stealing a pair of shoes. As a punishment, he is sent to camp Greenlake, where he meats and discovers an ancient secret that leads him to great treasure. Throughout the movie technical, symbolic, audio and written codes are used to demonstrate the characters’ personalities as well as create a profound atmosphere in every scene. These filmic conventions help the audience to obtain a clearer understanding of the main characters and the movie itself. The innocent and friendly nature of Stanley is effectively demonstrated through the film codes and conventions. He is a protagonist in the movie and undergoes the most change to his personality and behavior throughout the film. In the very first scene, Stanley’s voice over is used saying â€Å"All my life, I seem to appear at the wrong time in the wrong place†. This audio code has a great effect on the viewer’s opinion of Stanley, indicating that he is clumsy or unlucky. A little further into the movie, techniques such as costume and setting are well used. Stanley’s over-sized old clothes and the messy, un-tidy house of the Yelnats’ family gives an impression of a less fortunate family. These filmic codes are vital in the construction of Stanley’s personality. The film codes and conventions successfully show Zero’s as a closed, shy and disrespected little boy. He too is one of the main characters in the movie and over time becomes great friends with Stanley. When Stanley is introduced to the other boys in camp, Mr. Fernandsci explains, â€Å"You know why everyone calls him Zero? Because he has nothing going on in his stupid, little head!†. The effect of this dialogue is immense. Zero is introduced as a dumb and helpless boy, yet we understand that he is plainly judged and bullied. When the councilor proclaims this, Zero turns his back on the boys and his facial expression shows anger and disappointment. These symbolic codes have a huge effect on the viewer’s opinion of zero, suggesting that he is an annoyed and perhaps unapproachable little boy. He just wants everyone to leave him alone. The audience understands zero’s calm yet unsociable personality through the excellent use of various film code techniques. The filmic conventions are used to create a dream-like atmosphere in the scene where kissing Kate Barlow commits suicide. After stealing and burying the treasure of Stanley’s great grandfather, she has been stranded in the desert for several days. When viewers first see her lying on the sand, the focus of the camera is blurred. This technical code has a great effect on the viewers understanding of the scene, showing that it is a flash back or memory. Further into the episode, a blurred image of Sam appears and Kate murmurs, â€Å"Its so hot Sam but I feel so cold†. These techniques give an impression that Kate’s vision is blurring and she is hallucinating because of exhaustion. This dialogue and several other shots work together to create the imaginary, almost unrealistic atmosphere. A happy and relieving atmosphere is created with the use of film codes in the scene where Stanley and Zero climb god’s thumb and reach water. After a close escape from Camp Greenlake, the two boys have been wondering along the desert for days. They have finally reached a rocky mountain in the shape of a thumb, onto which Stanley’s great grandfather had once climbed, and found water. Joyful and lively music plays when the boys finally come to the top of the mountain. The use of this technique demonstrates how Zero and Stanley have finally reached their goals and the atmosphere is clearly shown. Throughout this scene, cool colors such as blue, purple, grey and violet are used. This symbolizes the peacefulness of the situation and the viewer gives a sigh of relief, as the main characters are unharmed. These filmic codes are very important in the construction of a serene atmosphere in the particular scene. The atmosphere and the characters’ personalities in the movie are created by the excellent use of film codes and conventions. Voice overs, body language and costumes are used to construct the character of Stanley and Zero. Colors, music, different camera shots and dialogue are used during different scenes to portray the correct atmosphere. These various codes give us a better understanding of the film and the important messages.