March 6th, 2019: Today was our first day of clinical at the Alaska Native Medical Center! This hospital provides health care to the Alaskan Native people from all over the state. All 7 of the students selected areas of interest and were placed on that unit of interest. We have students placed in Oncology, Pediatrics, OR, Labor & Delivery, Wound Care, Mother & Baby, and in the ICU. Each student after the first day was able to share a unique and valuable experience from the first day. Some students took care of patients that speak Yupik, which is the language used by some of the Alaskan Natives. Here at ANMC we are taking care of a large population of people from all over Alaska. There are people who come by plane from the villages to this hospital, and others who call Anchorage their home. We have also learned to navigate a new EHR. Learning a new EHR is teaching us how to adapt to different system. While it is different it still has all the same information we are familiar with. Personally, I have enjoyed all the jewelry, and artwork. Many of the nurses here wear decorated badge clips done by local Native Alaskan artists. The badges have fur, beading, and leather on the clip that are all done so beautifully. The hospital also has wonderful art, and display cases on each floor filled with woven baskets, dolls, and other items. At the end of the day leaving from ANMC, there was music and drumming in the main lobby. People were gathered around in a circle and listening to the music. It was a memorable experience to see this in the hospital. We all had a great first 12 hour shift and are excited for the continued experiences here in Alaska!