9/15/2022 Kellie Mullany
As the final deliverable for the Discovery Learning course in the summer of 2022, Carle Illinois College of Medicine students submitted blog posts describing their summer immersion experience. Kellie Mullany's post detailing her work researching ectopic pregnancy was selected as the best in the Research Immersion category.
Written by Kellie Mullany
I always knew I wanted to pursue medicine. Starting from a young age I had a passion for connecting with people and making a difference. My idea of what I wanted to specialize in changed many times throughout my educational career, ranging from anesthesia to neurosurgery. It really clicked for me my sophomore year of college. In a physiology class I did an elective project for honors credit and was assigned to research the complications of pregnancy.
Being an older sister and cousin to many little ones, I had an idea of what I believed pregnancy and childbirth looked like. I felt that I really had a connection with kids as well. I did not, however, fully grasp the process. When put in a situation where I could learn more about pregnancy, the physiology, and where things could go wrong, I was amazed. The way the body is able to adapt to these situations to maintain a new balance while carrying a life was incredible.
Fast forward years later, on a cold January afternoon, I was just over halfway finished with my first year of medical school and stressing about how to spend my summer break. After many hours of meetings, talking with family, and self-reflection, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to spend my summer researching something I am passionate about. In this, I decided to work on a literature review overviewing diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancies (EPs). While I had previous experience learning about EPs, I had never fully delved into everything that one entails. From risk factors, to symptoms, and confusing diagnostic methods, I took in all of the learning that I could. With EPs being the leading cause of maternal mortality in the first trimester, I was surprised to see minimal innovation in the field, and I learned that there was more to be done for these patients. In the middle of spending many hours reading about reproductive health, a new situation arose, shifting my understanding of the work I was doing.
On June 24th, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade, meaning there was no longer a federal constitutional right to abortion. While some rejoiced, others wept. In healthcare, this posed a great challenge, with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stating that the overturn “represents a direct attack on the patient-physician relationship and the practice of medicine.” Spending my summer researching the implications of an EP gave me a new perspective on the situation. Having knowledge of these patients will help me advocate for them in the future, as I find my voice in the medical field. I challenge you to do the same. Find things that you are passionate about, and let the world know it!
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My name is Kellie Mullany, Class of 2025. I am originally from Barrington, IL and I have been involved in outreach, research, reproductive health interest group, and event planning for Carle Illinois College of Medicine (CI MED). As a future aspiring OB/GYN, this summer further solidified my passion for women’s health, and I hope to continue making an impact in the field.
Editor's note: As the final deliverable for the Discovery Learning course in the summer of 2022, Carle Illinois College of Medicine students submitted blog posts describing their summer immersion experience. Kellie Mullany's post detailing her work researching ectopic pregnancy was selected as the best in the Research Immersion category.