On Thursday 25th June, Year 13 Jay-Dee Lea (Senior Prefect) visited Middlemore Hospital under the “Shadow a Leader” initiative, arranged through the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law at Auckland University of Technology.
The initiative allowed Jay-Dee to shadow Ms Sarah Kubler, Senior Legal Counsel at Health New Zealand.
My experience at Shadow A Leader, as organised by the Auckland University of Technology (AUT), by Jay-Dee Lea
Sarah Kubler was my designated leader, and she showed me what Medical Lawyers do and their role in our community. I learned that homicide levels are increasing in domestic violence, and there are approximately 10 cases occurring per day. She said it does not get enough attention and has 'claimed more lives than COVID-19’; it is an epidemic in its own unique way. I learned that Medical Lawyers when they receive these cases try to discover if there is has been any 'foul play', or a homicidal reason behind the individual’s death. My experience at Shadow A Leader gave me an in-depth understanding of the daily schedules and programmes of both Medical Lawyers and Intensive Care Doctors. I observed ward rounds and learned the teams’ procedures for each patient. With their consent, I met two patients in the Intensive Care Unit and witnessed firsthand the pain these individuals endure and their management for it.I also met the Clinic Head for Kidz First Hospital Emergency Department, Stefan Van Der Walt, and learned about the equipment used for infants and children in the Emergency Department, as well as the purpose of the various tools they use. I was fascinated to learn that he had coded his own website, which is used by Starship at Auckland Hospital and many other hospitals around the globe (www.pedicalc.org.nz).
Overall, my first Shadow A Leader experience was beyond astounding and has further deepened my understanding and desire to become a Doctor and serve my community, while also learning about Medical Lawyers and their role in our community.