Aaron Louviere and Lorrie Wicks, senior students at the Valdosta State University College of Nursing, recently completed South Georgia Medical Center’s Cardiovascular Internship Program. Through this mini-internship Louviere and Wicks were given the unique opportunity to shadow and observe SGMC’s Cardiovascular Team first hand at the Dasher Heart Center.

Louviere and Wicks began the program by completing the Principle of Aseptic Technique and Sterile Scrub class which allowed them to scrub in and watch actual live cases. Cases included two open-heart surgeries performed by affiliated Cardiothoracic Surgeons Drs. Randall Brown and Joe Johnson and an endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm performed by Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon Dr. Maurice Solis. The students experienced cardiovascular nursing first-hand, interacting with SGMC’s knowledgeable and skilled multidisciplinary team.
 
Both students have expressed an interest in practicing in the Cardiac Intensive Care field. “These students represent the future of healthcare. We are proud to offer this experience and help guide them in their career paths,” said SGMC CEO Raymond Snead. To date, five students have completed the program.
 
To participate in the 2-1/2 day internship, students must submit an essay to the Dean of Nursing at VSU where the two top candidates each semester are identified. For more information on the heart program at SGMC visit sgmc.org/heart.