Faces of Summer at CCHC

Cullin Enright

Cullin worked as a nursing assistant on Barbey 4 at Cape Cod Hospital this summer. Born and raised on Cape Cod, the Yarmouth Port native attends UMass Amherst, where he studies public health on the pre-med track.

• Why Cape Cod Healthcare: I have always wanted to work in a hospital, so I got my CNA to gain clinical experience and take care of people. When I was offered an opportunity at CCH, I immediately jumped on it.
• A typical shift: I work overnight, answering call bells, taking vital signs and helping nurses with whatever they may need. Sometimes I get floated, which gives me the opportunity to experience the EC and other Med-Surg floors. I make sure every patient is comfortable before their day begins and I offer assistance to anyone who needs it.
• A new perspective: I have a new respect for the work hospital staff does at every level.
• Favorite part: Listening to patients’ stories and learning about their lives. The most rewarding thing is when someone tells you that you made their day.
• A moment that stuck: I received a lovely letter from a patient I cared for after working at the hospital for a few weeks. It motivated and inspired me and made me feel that I can make a difference in a person’s life.
• What’s next: I plan to complete my undergraduate degree and hopefully attend medical school or physician assistant school. Either way, I see my future in healthcare.  
• Off the clock: I like to travel, enjoy the beach and hang out with my family. I also spent my free time working at Freestyle Living (a retirement community in Yarmouth).  

Aria O’Neill

Aria spent the summer as an emergency center technician at Cape Cod Hospital. A Yarmouth resident and recent graduate of Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, she is attending UMass Boston this fall.

• Your CCHC journey: During my sophomore year of high school, I had the opportunity to shadow different departments at CCH and meet a ton of providers. I then became a summer helper intern in the ER, which gave me a feel for how the department was run before starting as a CNA. For the last year, I’ve been working as an ER tech!
• What I’ve learned: Communication is so important. As a CNA, I get to be close with my patients, advocate for them and report any additional complaints or concerns back to the nurse.
• Best advice: During a trauma, I stepped out because two other ER techs were already helping (and I didn’t think they needed my help). Jamie O’Connor encouraged me to be part of the care team and told me, “You won’t learn anything by not doing anything.” It helped me learn to advocate for myself.
• A memorable moment: One of my favorite memories was talking with an older couple while they waited for their children to pick them up. We had a wonderful conversation about all the things they had experienced throughout their lives.
• Looking ahead: Working in the ER has allowed me to see many different departments and specialties, and influenced me to continue pursuing a career in emergency medicine as an MD.
• Perfect summer day: Sleeping in, followed by a beach day with my friends, and we always end up at El Mariachi’s for dinner!

Isabel George

Isabel worked as a nursing assistant in the float pool at Falmouth Hospital this summer. Originally from Shrewsbury, she attends George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Pictured, at left: Isabel takes a manual blood pressure reading of Danielle, the patient care technician who trained her in the ICU. At right: Isabel befriends a reindeer in Finland.

• Why Falmouth Hospital: As a public health student, I spend a lot of time learning about healthcare at the population level, and I wanted to experience it from a more personal, patient-centered perspective. With the goal of attending medical school, I saw this as an opportunity to build my clinical skills while learning from experienced nurses, physicians and other members of the care team.
• A day in the float pool: Working in the float pool means adapting to the pace and needs of wherever I’m assigned. I spent most of my shifts in the ICU, caring for patients with more complex and critical needs. My role included taking vital signs, bathing, repositioning, assisting with ambulation, and helping maintain a clean and safe environment for patients.
• A lesson in teamwork: I learned that patient care is truly a collaborative effort. I also learned that small observations about a patient’s behavior, comfort or condition can provide valuable information to the care team.
• Memorable moments: The small interactions with patients stand out most—helping someone feel more comfortable, having a conversation during a difficult day or seeing a patient make progress. I saw how small acts of compassion can make a meaningful difference.
• Favorite part: The people I worked alongside. Everyone was incredibly willing to teach me, and in just a few weeks I gained valuable clinical exposure, from learning about EKGs and MRI imaging to observing a thoracentesis.
• Future plans: I will pursue a Master of Public Health in epidemiology while applying to medical school. My ultimate goal is to combine medicine, epidemiology and emergency response to contribute to global disaster relief efforts.

Brielle Foisy

Brielle spent the summer as a nursing assistant in the float pool at Falmouth Hospital. She is from Hampden, Massachusetts, and attends Minnechaug Regional High School.

• How it started: I have a family member who works for CCHC and heard so many wonderful things about how the hospital feels more like a family than a workplace. Everyone is so kind and compassionate—and it shows. The nurses and nursing assistants have shown me so many new situations and tasks to deepen my knowledge.
• A day in the life: I typically work a 7 a.m.-3 p.m. shift and can be anywhere from the Med-Surg floors to the ICU or Emergency Room. I have seen patients in all aspects of their healing and stages of life. Throughout the day, I interact with patients, assist with activities of daily living and learn from the nurses along the way.
• What surprised me: I’ve learned how much healthcare goes beyond the medical side. Making patients feel comfortable, listened to and cared for is also important, and even small acts of kindness can make a difference in someone’s day.
• Making a difference: The most rewarding part has been building relationships with patients and knowing I was able to make their day a little better. Sometimes just talking with a patient or being there to listen can mean a lot.
• Looking ahead: CCHC has shown me even more why I am drawn to medicine. After high school, I plan to study biology on a pre-med track, with the hope of continuing on to medical school.
• Summer bucket list: Going on a road trip with all of my friends, packing a car with our belongings and just making a bunch of memories.

Kiara Perry

Kiara returned to Falmouth Hospital this summer as a CNA in the Intensive Care Unit. Born and raised on Cape Cod, she attends UMass Boston and is working toward her nursing degree.

• Your CCHC journey: I completed a CNA program in high school and was offered a job through CCHC. I chose Falmouth Hospital because I was born there, and I was drawn to the ICU because that is the type of nurse I want to be.
• A day in the ICU: I have worked two different types of shifts, both the 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and the 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. I help stock supplies, prepare rooms for patients and answer call lights. Throughout the day, I also help nurses get patients cleaned up or into a chair and assist with whatever else they need.
• What I’ve learned: I’ve learned many things from working in the ICU for the past three summers, but the most important is patient care—how to understand and properly care for a patient.
• Favorite part: The nurses I work with have all been patient and willing to help me. I’m not only here as an aid to them, but also somewhat as their student, because they are always willing to make any moment a teaching moment.
• Memorable lessons: The moments that stand out are when nurses take time to teach me something that will be important in my career, from how to read a CT scan to how to start an IV. I feel like I am ahead of the game.
• Looking ahead: My time at CCHC has made me want to become an ICU nurse even more. I keep coming back because of all the experience I’m gaining and everything I continue to learn.
• Favorite Cape spot: Definitely Mayflower Beach. If I’m not at the hospital or my other job, you can find me there.