I have shadowed several physicians from different fields of medicine, but my time with Dr. Scott Syndergaard proved to be the most proactive and beneficial for me so far. I had never before followed a Physician who cared so much about me as an individual, and by individual I mean an undergraduate student who hasn’t earned his dues yet in the medical field. Dr. Syndergaard took every opportunity to teach me the "in and outs" of obstetrics and gynecology, as well as mentor me in choices I’m currently facing as I approach medical school. The three things that helped me learn a great deal while with Dr. Syndergaard were: the honesty he showed his patients in clinic, the hands on experience he provided me in the operation room, and the time he took to sit down and mentor me in between.
One aspect of how Dr. Syndergaard practices obsterics and gynecology really impressed me. This was how he was always very honest with his patients. Unlike many physicians that are stuck behind a clipboard of questions or resort to whatever their patient is demanding in order to please them, Dr. Syndergaard for a lack of better words was very “real” with every one of his patients. I think that this honesty is a very important attribute in the field of medicine and especially OBGYN, because the majority of the time his patients weren’t just making decisions concerning their own health, but also the health of their prenatal children. Despite his frequent honesty and sometimes blunt responses to middle aged, pregnant, and even adolescent women, Dr. Syndergaard always showed a great care for his patients and would take whatever time was needed to council with them over what path would be best for their health. I learned a great deal from how he interacted with his patients in the clinic.
I was also able to learn a great deal from Dr. Syndergaard in the operation room. I was privileged to see several types of surgery over the last few months. The two that I felt had the greatest impact on me where a tubal ligation (tying of a woman’s uterine tubes) and a cesarean section delivery. Dr. Syndergaard, while performing his surgeries, would explain to me every procedure and body part he was working on and would even allow me to participate as much as legally possible. For example he would have me hold the light above the table, tools he would use, and even help in the delivery process. These experiences didn’t just teach me more about the female reproductive system and delivery, but inspired me to continuing working hard until I am someday leading surgery on my own patients.
What I appreciated most about my experience with Dr. Syndergaard, was the time that he took to talk with and mentor me during times outside the OR and clinic. Every day that I followed him, he offered to take me out to lunch. This not only helped my very low, student budget, but gave me the opportunity to ask him questions about things we had seen throughout the day and for advice in the paths I am currently trying to take.These were times that he could have used to catch up on other things, but instead would sit down with me to explain what was going on or answer my various, often naive questions. He didn’t just answer those questions, but would explain the “why” to their answers. He also didn’t just give me advice, but genuinely took the time to mentor me in the decisions I would soon be making. I was very grateful for these times and know they will make a difference over the next year while I’m making many critical decisions.
Overall, my time with Dr. Syndergaard, including the visits I observed in the clinic, the hands on experience he gave me in the OR, and especially the time he took to sit down and mentor me, helped teach me, inspire me in medicine, and guide me in several of the decisions I will be making in the near future. I was very grateful for his time and sincerity. If anyone has the time or opportunity to be in Roosevelt, Utah, I would highly recommend contacting him or the office of Life Science in order to follow him and have the same experience that I did.
