The study is with the Brain Research Foundation and it is focused on concussions. This is because of the high prevalence of concussions recently and there isn’t necessarily enough research done in evaluating concussions in school-aged children’s. This study aims to improve pediatricians’ ability to evaluate and manage sports-related concussive injuries among young children, and guide future research regarding the diagnosis, treatment and long-term effects of these events.

My responsibilities for this study are to recruit patients from either Lurie Children’s clinics or off site pediatrician offices. After I recruit patients I am also responsible for the administering two “test” that I go through with them to help evaluate them. These are what are aimed at evaluating the effects of concussions to help provide treatment. Once I finish with these exams I enter the data and file it so we have everything organized.

This study has really provided me to opportunity grow as employee. I work very independently with this project. I am tasked with going out on my own and representing the hospital. I have grown so much from the first day I started at this job. I no longer get nervous when I walk into a new office to go recruit patients. Instead I look forward to the opportunity to meet new doctors, staff, participants, and anyone else I may come into contact with. I believe my confidence in interacting with strangers is what makes me a successful assistant. I have learned to not be afraid to be told no. Not everyone I talk to wants to participate in a study and that is okay. I have learned how to not get discouraged and stay that course. Which I think is a skill that I can transfer outside of my job. Not being afraid to fail or being told no is useful. We can’t go along in life without ever being told no, it is how we continue on that makes us successful.