Student internships: Tocea Marina

Tocea Marina, a  4^th year medical student at the “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, wrote to us about her experience during her internship at the Hospital Vall d’Hebron in Barcelona, Spain.

I want to start by thanking CIRSE for the incredible opportunity to spend two weeks at the Hospital Vall d’Hebron in Barcelona. This experience went far beyond what I could have imagined, allowing me to immerse myself in the world of interventional radiology.

The first few days were like diving headfirst into a whole new world. Every conversation, every procedure, every decision was a crash course in the reality of IR. From embolizations to biopsies and angioplasties, the work was constant and varied – and the pace was relentless. But that was the beauty of it. I quickly learned that interventional radiology isn’t a static specialty; it’s dynamic, and every case brings its own unique challenges.

All ready to observe a procedure

At CIRSE 2024!

The view into the angiosuite at Hospital Vall d’Hebron

One of the most striking aspects of my time at the hospital was seeing how the department functioned. The collaboration between physicians, radiologists, nurses, and technicians was seamless. There was an unspoken language – a shared understanding that comes from years of experience working closely together. I learned how essential this sense of teamwork and communication is and how it elevates patient care to an entirely different level.

I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Carla Gonzalez and Dr. Mercedes Perez Lafuente for their invaluable guidance and support throughout my internship. Their passion for interventional radiology and commitment to teaching made each day an enriching experience, and I learned so much under their mentorship. I would also like to thank the residents who assisted me daily, always ready to answer my questions, provide hands-on guidance, and make sure I felt welcome and part of the team. Their combined support not only made my time educational but also truly inspiring.

My experience at the Hospital Vall d’Hebron has reaffirmed my passion for interventional radiology, not just as a specialty but as a way of thinking and practicing medicine. It’s about seeing beyond the surface, solving problems with creativity and precision, and always striving for better patient outcomes.

So, to anyone considering an opportunity like this: take it. Dive in headfirst. Be prepared to have your mind expanded, your skills tested, and your passion reignited. Because sometimes, all it takes is two weeks to change the way you see the world of medicine forever.

CIRSE 2024

In addition, I also attended CIRSE Annual Congress in Lisbon. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to CIRSE for organizing such a fantastic congress. The sessions were incredibly informative, and the overall experience was both inspiring and enriching. Your hard work and dedication truly shone through, and I feel privileged to have been part of this event.