Day 1 was an enriching experience with Dr. McElveen and his numerous patients. When Kiran and I arrived, we were nervous entering the enormous, winding office that the doctors worked in. We began with a staff meeting, where Dr. McElveen and his associates organized everyone’s schedule for the month. The staff worked well as a group, they were quite supportive and the staff meeting was a great way to observe everyone interact. During the meeting they celebrated the engagement of Kate, an associate, and commemorated John-Thomas Junior for the graduation of his children. Finally, the meeting was over and everyone split up into their own work spaces in the winding and confusing office.

Next, Kate gave us a tour of the building and showed us where Kiran and I would set up our stuff for the week. We didn’t spend much time in there at all, though, we were often on our feet and participating in check-ups with patients. In fact, Kiran and I faced some adversity spending the entire day today on our feet, moving from room to room with Dr. McElveen and his patients and always standing in the corner, observing. It was fantastic listening to each patients story, every one of them had known Dr. McElveen personally, because he had worked with them for so many years.

We didn’t learn many logistical aspects of ear surgery or even the anatomy of the ear. We were taught that the ear consisted of three central bones, the malleus, the incus, and the stapes, but that was it for the most part. We watched Dr. McElveen remove a hearing aid from a patient under a microscope that was enhanced on a television screen in the corner, which was fascinating. Another patient was a young child who couldn’t work their hearing aid so that was interesting.

For the most part we focused on treating and handling patients today, and meeting the other doctors and learning about their individual specialties.