These two weeks were focused around researching the history Carilion’s cardiovascular surgery unit (and the multitude of programs that are interwoven into the unit). Once I researched enough to formulate two sets of questions, I began preparing for my interviews with the lead Clinical Nursing Specialist for 40 years and the doctor who founded the Cardiovascular surgery program.
I first interviewed the nurse and was able to hear about how much the technology and unit has changed and advanced. I also learned about the Mended Hearts Quilts Program. Those who undergo heart surgery at Carilion are sent a patch to design and send back, where it is then added onto a quilt and hung in the hospital.
The second interview was even more interesting, as I was able to hear a firsthand account of beginning a heart surgery program at a hospital, then seeing it grow and help so many people around the Roanoke Valley. We talked about the Operating Room with Carilion’s cutting edge technological abilities to perform incredibly complicated and intricate surgeries. It was such an eye opening conversation.