While at work, the students operated in an “observation
only” role, but were exposed to a wide variety of practices
and techniques. “Our main goal was to give them a broad
brush feel for what's going on in medicine here, rather than
just one aspect,” said Don Varnado. To keep the students
engaged and to maximize their exposure during their visit,
students completed one-week rotations at participating
facilities, including: the Baton Rouge Clinic, Baton Rouge
Family Medical Clinic, Baton Rouge General, Vascular
Associates Lab, Vascular Surgical Associates,
Hematology and Oncology Group, the Neuromedical
Center, and the Baton Rouge Orthopedic Clinic at the
Surgical Specialty Center.
“Like any kids, they were more excited by the procedures
and the gadgets than by sitting down and talking with the
patients,” said Dr. Ed Vinci of the Baton Rouge Clinic,
where visiting students were cycled through rotations in
several different areas, including pediatrics, dermatology,
and internal medicine. Some of the students spoke excel-
lent English, while others struggled initially to keep up with
everything that was said to them. “Even with the language
barrier, I think their experience has been very good,” said
Dr. Vinci. “They seem to want to see it all and they ask very
appropriate questions. They have been a joy to have
here.”
Host families have provided group meals, shopping trips,
visits to neighboring areas, a Fourth of July
celebration/fundraiser on the Diversion Canal, and much
more to keep the students entertained in their down time.
While the students enjoyed the Fourth of July, they
announced to their hosts that they planned no work for
their own independence celebration, Bastille Day, on July
14. Instead, the students arrived en masse at Dr. Isaza's
home and cooked an authentic French feast for their host
families, complete with hors d'oeuvres and homemade
crepes. “It was wonderful,” said Lolly Frusha, who also
turned on Bastille Day television coverage for her students
and had them explain details of the celebration.
Pierre Rebound, who stressed that he could speak only for
himself, indicated that the food here tastes very different,
a little spicy, and even the rhythm of the meals here is dif-
ferent than in France. Laura Fereday indicated that prior to
her visit, guest Marie Laure thought Americans ate mostly
hamburgers. Not only were the students urged to try
Louisiana specialties (which probably accounted for
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Healthcare Journal of Baton Rouge
| September / October 2008 Issue | healthcarejournalbr.com