Wooster Resident Interns in Croatia

2017 Oct 27

Wooster resident Hannah Wiles, a senior at Ashland University, has just completed a two-week internship in Pula, Croatia, through a program called Gap Medics. With plans of becoming a physician assistant, she is scheduled to graduate in May of 2018 with degrees in biology and health and risk communication.

Wiles is a 2014 graduate of Smithville High School and is the daughter of Robert and Connie Wiles of Wooster.

The first week of her internship was spent at the General Hospital in Pula in the Ear, Nose, and Throat Medicine department, while her second week was spent at the Navy Hospital in Pula where she worked in the General and Abdominal Surgery. In these departments she was able to observe many procedures, like the removal of pancreatic and stomach tumors and hip repair and replacement surgeries, and also had the opportunity to assist with sutures.

Wiles explains her time in Croatia as, "a really eye opening experience," as both a student and young woman. "I think the biggest learning moment for me was just the cultural shock of being in a different country and seeing how different their health care is," she said.

Her love for traveling and exploring new places led her to this international healthcare internship. Wiles instantly noticed many differences between the hospitals in the United States and in Croatia, specifically in their use of anesthesia.

She noted that in the United States, hospitals use general anesthesia that allows their patients to be completely unconscious during the procedures. However, due to cost and other factors, the Croatian hospitals primarily use a spinal anesthesia, which allows the patient to be able to hear and smell, but not feel the procedure.

Wiles says, "Not only was I getting to do something that would look great on my application while getting to experience a whole new side of medicine, but I was also getting to go and explore a country that I otherwise would probably never been able to see."

Throughout this internship, Wiles learned a lot about herself as well, especially with what she plans to do in the future. Before this summer, she always thought she would specialize in orthopedics. Now, after observing orthopedic surgeries, general abdominal surgeries, and ear, nose, and throat procedures, she has been given a broader view of medicine.

This bright-eyed young adult said she is very grateful for her opportunity in Croatia and all the knowledge it has given her. She recommends that students take advantage of study abroad opportunities like this when the opportunity comes along.

Ashland University, ranked in the top tier of colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report's National Universities category for 2017, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) deeply values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students. ###