"Pay attention to the world around you." These words are not just advice but a way of life for Dr. Chung, a pediatrician at Pediatric Associates of Brockton. For example, Dr. Chung noticed that blueberry companies are now making blueberries 8x larger than they used to be. So eating 12 big blueberries these days is like eating 96 smaller ones in the past. The larger blueberries are sweeter but have less skin, which is the most nutritious part. This means the bigger blueberries aren’t as good for you, and people are eating more of them.
This summer, I had the remarkable opportunity to intern with Dr. Chung at his offices in Brockton and East Bridgewater. I was consistently impressed by his commitment to improving the lives of his patients. Whether we were in the examination rooms or he was recounting his journey through undergraduate school, medical school, and residency, Dr. Chung's passion for learning and discovery was evident. His curiosity and intellect are two traits that make him an exceptional doctor.
Dr. Chung's commitment to his patients’ well-being is evident in the practical advice he offers. Before each visit, we would review the patient's growth chart, which included details about their height, weight, and BMI. If we noticed a recent increase in a patient's weight, Dr. Chung would gently discuss the importance of a balanced diet, emphasizing the inclusion of lots of greens. He would explain how processed food and fast foods are made to be addictive for big companies' profit. Knowing that financial constraints affect food choices, Dr. Chung offered practical and affordable alternatives to all of his patients.
Over the first couple of visits, Dr. Chung taught me how to use an otoscope to examine patients’ ears, an ophthalmoscope to examine reflections from the retina in the eye, and a stethoscope to listen for irregular heart rhythms and breathing sounds. I heard a couple of heart murmurs (extra sounds created by turbulent blood flow) in infants, a crackling sound in the lungs of a teenager who had pneumonia, and learned to identify strep throat when a young boy presented with fire engine red tonsils and dark red spots on the soft palate which is bleeding in the skin (palatal petechiae). Additionally, I observed Dr. Chung remove stitches from a child, delicately pulling each stitch out and guiding it toward the cut to keep the edges aligned to ensure the wound was pulled together rather than apart, all while keeping the patient as comfortable as possible. Seeing how much knowledge Dr. Chung needed for each case was eye-opening and brought light to the depth of skill required to specialize in pediatrics.
During our lunch breaks, Dr. Chung would explain his diagnostic process. He relies on 80% history (listening to the patient describe their symptoms), 15% physical exam, and 5% lab tests. Before meeting patients, he considers the relevant body areas and systems so he has a list of potential diagnoses. I also learned about various antibiotics and their mechanisms. We study cell structures in school, but Dr. Chung challenged me to understand how antibiotics specifically attack bacteria by breaking through their protective cell walls and disrupting vital processes (such as stopping the bacteria from making the proteins they need for their cell walls). I also got to practice putting a boxer splint on Dr. Chung, which is put on the hand to help keep the bone protected and the wrist and fingers still as the bone heals. A boxer’s fracture is a break in the neck of the metacarpal bone in the hand. Metacarpal bones are the long bones that connect the finger bones to the wrist, and when they are fractured, they require this boxer splint to heal. Apparently, this is a very common injury in the sport I play, field hockey, and something I hope I never have to experience firsthand.
From the beginning, Dr. Chung embodied the true spirit of caring for patients. I had heard from others about his reputation for compassion and dedication, but seeing it in action was truly special. Dr. Chung's words, "You matter. You are not alone. I care about you," carry profound significance, especially for patients facing challenging family situations. He often shares this heartfelt message with young people who feel isolated or lack positive role models, such as those whose parents are not in the picture or do not have legal custody. By offering these affirming words, Dr. Chung provides support and reassurance, reminding his patients that they are valued and cared for, even in difficult times.
One of my favorite parts of the internship was brainstorming with Dr. Chung about ways I could help give back to the community. Ryan Ferguson ‘24, who was last year's intern with Dr. Chung, launched a youth sports equipment drive at Rivers. I am excited to continue Ryan Ferguson’s Gear for Greatness Sports drive because every kid should have the opportunity to play a sport. Dr. Chung’s offices are located in some of the poorer communities in Massachusetts, and as a result, children do not have equal access to sports equipment. I am hoping to continue to gather sports equipment from families at Rivers. I am working with different athletic directors in Randolph and Brockton to create a sports drive and a program specifically for ice hockey where kids can learn to skate using donated ice hockey equipment.
Witnessing Dr. Chung interacting with patients ranging in age from two weeks to twenty-two years old was an enlightening experience. He treats each patient with the same level of kindness and respect, understanding that everyone deserves to be heard and cared for. Whether he is calming the nerves of a young child, guiding a teenager through a challenging time, or reassuring worried parents, Dr. Chung's empathy and genuine concern for his patients shine through. My experience with Dr. Chung and his entire medical staff was so beneficial to my view on medicine and has inspired me to pursue a career where I can help people every day, just like Dr. Chung. I want to thank Mr. Schlenker, Dr. Chung, and the patients who graciously allowed me to shadow their visits in order to gain a better understanding of the endless possibilities in the medical field.
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