Olakanmi Adio, COL ’26, Reading, PA
This past summer, I had the opportunity to conduct research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and continue in my lab. I enjoyed my work in this lab because of the tangible effects the initiatives have on addressing heart disease in the Philadelphia community. During this internship, I gained practical experience in clinical research, and was able to continue the skills I have learned. I became even more proficient in data entry using tools like RedCap and Excel, learning the critical importance of accuracy and attention to detail. This task helped me understand how data organization directly contributes to advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care.
This experience broadened my understanding of the medical field and the importance of community health initiatives. I developed a deep appreciation for the many aspects of healthcare, particularly in cardiology. It was inspiring to observe the positive impact of
patient-provider interactions. This experience solidified my interest in medicine as I witnessed the tangible, positive influence of healthcare professionals on the community.
The main goal, which aimed to provide AEDs to schools in southeastern Pennsylvania, helped me learn the ways in which medical concepts can be used innovatively in public health for impactful outcomes beyond a clinical setup. This kind of project showed me the relation of the health system with the people of the community, and helped me realize that in order to advocate for health, there needs to be a community partnership. I am glad to have been able to be part of this experience and will use the skills I have learned in my future career in medicine.
This is part of a series of posts by recipients of the 2025 Career Services Summer Funding Grant. We’ve asked funding recipients to reflect on their summer experiences and talk about the industries in which they spent their summer. You can read the entire series here
