Nidhi Subramanian and Zeyanna Dhalla (JSSOM MS2s) spent part of the summer in Nairobi through the UTMB Global Student Experience, completing a pediatric surgery preceptorship at Kenyatta National Hospital with both clinical and research components.
Research: They were invited to write a case report after witnessing a rare cloacal exstrophy case, later learning during surgery that the child had two appendixes, consistent with a unique variant described by their team. They also began a Wilms tumor chart review exploring tumor size and histopathology relationships.
Clinical learning: They rounded on pediatrics, spent time in pediatric oncology and the NICU, and observed in the OR—experiences that helped each student clarify interests (Nidhi in NICU care, Zeyanna in the OR).
