Jaclyn Leeper (grad March 09)

X-Ray Internship

The quarter is officially several weeks underway and I am now working as an X-ray intern (XRI) in the x-ray department once a week. Now that I have been down there a few times, I have started to get over the jitters of being responsible for whether or not an x-ray image comes out the way it should. Although being an XRI requires a commitment of time and energy, I have enjoyed it thus far. I feel that participating in this program will not only provide me with the opportunity to learn how to handle special cases and scenarios when it comes to x-raying patients, but it will also allow me to build a greater confidence in my ability to take x-rays of good quality when I get out into my own office. It will be great to have some experience under my belt with tweaking certain things to make an image come out the way it should as well as knowing what corrections need to be made in order to improve an image if it has to be retaken. Now is the time to learn these things (while I have a supervisor here to guide me in the right direction). Before long, I will be on my own in the real world and will be happy to have some extra experience under my belt. I think it is a great program for anyone who plans on taking x-rays in their office and wants some extra experience.

Activator Technique

For the first time in a while, Sherman is offering an elective on the Activator Methods technique. For anyone who doesn't already know, this is one of the instruments that many chiropractors use in adjusting some or all of their patients. A great deal of the technique is based on leg checks and pressure testing in order to determine where and when (or when not) to adjust. So far, I have found this class to be interesting. The technique itself is different in many ways from what we have learned here at Sherman. I do, however, feel that the information we are gaining from this course is very valuable. It simply adds another dimension to our knowledge base and gives us another option to consider upon graduating and opening our own practices. While our education here at Sherman is based on a hands-on approach, it is helpful to know how instrumentation can be implemented, especially in situations where it may be more beneficial for the patient. I am very excited that they are now offering this elective and am glad that I had the opportunity to take it this quarter.

Batman at the Imax

As most of America knows, The Dark Knight (the new Batman movie), has been a huge hit and one of the greatest movie successes of all time.  For the past week or so, I have constantly heard people talking about how much they enjoyed the movie.  Most of them went to see it at the theater.  I, however, hadn't seen it yet because I was waiting to go see it at the Imax theater.  Unfortunately, the Imax has been sold out just about every showing every day since the movie was released.  I finally decided to buy tickets a few days in advance and made my way to Charlotte, NC last night to watch the movie at the Discovery Place Imax theater they have.  I felt that it was well worth the wait as well.  I thought the movie was great.  It was definitely a great experience to see it at the Imax.  That was the first time I have ever been to an Imax theater to see a movie (at least as far as I can remember) and I loved it!  I would highly recommend it to anyone who has an Imax theater closeby and hasn't already had the opportunity to go.  That is just another great thing about Spartanburg's location.  It is very close to nearby big cities so there are plenty of things to do and keep you busy. 

Another Quarter

Once again, another quarter is well underway. I can't believe it is already the third week. It is a little scary because, yet again, I begin the quarter in search of better ways to bring new patients into the health center. Working with patients is so much fun. The most challenging part is finding people who are willing to give you (and chiropractic) a chance. In addition, I have been very busy. During the week, I spend quite a bit of time in the Health Center, getting hours and seeing patients (when I have them). The weekend before last, I traveled to St. Paul, Minnesota for a wedding. It was beautiful and a great place to visit. Unfortunately, I didn't have a lot of time to explore the city because of the limited amount of time I was there, but I had a great time nonetheless. I went with my boyfriend (it was one of his friends from Boston who was getting married). I was a little nervous at first because I didn't know anyone who was going to be there. I had heard lots of stories about many of the people I was going to meet but had never met any of them. As it turned out, they were all very friendly and easy going. We had an awesome time. It was so much fun to finally meet the people I had heard so much about. The wedding was absolutely beautiful, too. When we returned to Spartanburg, it was back to work. It is only Tuesday and this week has already proven to be very busy. Today I completed yet another day of IOC (intern on call) duty, folding gowns and keeping the health center neat and tidy. Tomorrow I have to work my shift in the x-ray department as an x-ray intern. In addition, fun day is tomorrow. Food will be served, the new class will be welcomed, and various competitions will take place. It should be lots of fun!