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Capstone Internship

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IU Health Physicians Digestive & Liver Disorders

During my final semester at IU Indianapolis, I completed an internship with IU Health Physicians Digestive and Liver Disorders. This experience allowed me to apply my academic knowledge in a professional healthcare setting while developing valuable skills in project management, healthcare operations, and interdisciplinary communication. My primary project focused on streamlining clinical room utilization through innovative scheduling solutions. This portfolio highlights my contributions, learning outcomes, and personal development throughout my internship, reflecting my growth as an emerging healthcare professional ready to make a positive impact in the field of health services management.

Primary Responsibilities/Projects:

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My primary project involved developing a streamlined process for clinical room utilization to optimize scheduling and reduce unused clinical space. After conducting in-depth research, I identified Microsoft Power Automate as the most suitable solution. I collaborated with team members from the IT department to explore integration possibilities. Although my internship ended before project implementation, I successfully initiated the process by presenting my research and proposed workflows, setting the foundation for future development.

Additionally, I attended team meetings, gaining insights into healthcare operations, project discussions, and collaborative problem-solving within the healthcare setting.

Learning Objectives:

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  1. Develop Project Management Skills:

    • Goal: Lead a healthcare operations improvement project from start to finish.

    • Outcome: While I couldn't oversee full implementation, I successfully initiated the project, conducted research, and presented viable solutions.

  2. Enhance Communication Skills:

    • Goal: Communicate effectively with interdisciplinary teams.

    • Outcome: I consistently updated my supervisor and communicated my project ideas to various departments, receiving positive feedback on my clarity and professionalism.

  3. Understand Healthcare Operations:

    • Goal: Gain knowledge of healthcare administrative processes.

    • Outcome: Attending team meetings, engaging in project discussions, and working on process optimization deepened my understanding of healthcare operations.

Personal Development:

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Skills Acquired/Enhanced:

  • Research & Analytical Skills: Conducted research on room utilization solutions.

  • Project Planning: Developed an actionable project proposal.

  • Communication: Presented ideas clearly and collaborated across departments.

Contributions:

  • Initiated the clinical room utilization project.

  • Built a research-backed proposal for process improvement.

Areas for Growth:

  • Project Implementation: I wish I had seen the project through to completion.

  • Technical Expertise: Deeper familiarity with healthcare IT systems would have been beneficial.

Reflection 

My internship at IU Health Physicians Digestive and Liver Disorders was a transformative experience that helped bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world healthcare operations. Working on the clinical room utilization project allowed me to apply concepts from my courses in operations management, healthcare administration, and strategic planning. Although I couldn’t see the project through to completion, initiating the process and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams taught me the importance of adaptability, persistence, and effective communication.

One of my biggest takeaways was understanding the complexities involved in healthcare project implementation, where timelines often extend due to operational challenges. I gained confidence in presenting ideas, conducting research, and collaborating across departments, which strengthened my problem-solving and analytical skills.

This internship also helped me identify areas for growth, particularly in healthcare IT systems and long-term project management. I now better understand how administrative processes drive healthcare efficiency and how innovation can improve patient care. As I move forward in my healthcare management career, I am motivated to build on these experiences and continue learning to make meaningful contributions in the industry.

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