Health Sciences Spotlight

Meet Peyton Farmer, a senior Health Sciences major from Saint Louis, Missouri, who is on the Health Services Management track.  Last summer, Peyton completed an internship at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. 

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What was your role as an intern at Massachusetts General Hospital?

I worked to improve the patient experience, specifically in regards to scheduling appointments for new patients.  In addition, I helped coordinate a group visit of hospital executives from China.  I also helped implement same day scheduling at one of our clinics.

Do you have a favorite memory from that experience?

My favorite memory from that experience was sitting in on meetings in the Ether Dome.  The Ether Dome is an operating theater where surgical anesthesia was used for the first time in 1846.  Massachusetts General Hospital is the third oldest hospital in the country.  Interning in a place with such a rich history was surreal.

In addition to your internship at MGH, what are some other experiential opportunities you’ve had?

I shadowed at Grinnell Regional hospital my sophomore year.  Right now, I intern at UnityPoint Health Des Moines in Clinical Support.

What are a few things you’ve liked most about your time as a Health Sciences major at Drake?

The things I’ve enjoyed most about my time in health sciences have been the opportunities I’ve received to dive into my passion— healthcare administration.  The advising I’ve received has allowed me to explore all possibilities for my future and ensured that I will have all the necessary tools I need to achieve my goals.

Share some of your accomplishments while at Drake in HSCI.

During my time at Drake, I have interned at Massachusetts General Hospital in Practice Improvement, as well as at UnityPoint Health Des Moines in Clinical Support.  This semester, I will work with CPHS faculty to do an independent study in public health.  I have been a member of Drake’s Health Sciences Advisory Board for three years and have been on the Health Science Experiential Review Committee for one year.  I’ve enjoyed holding multiple positions in my social sorority, being on the Dean’s List for several semesters, and studying abroad for a semester in Barcelona.

How do you feel Drake has prepared you for your future career?

Drake has prepared me by showing me a glimpse of so many different careers in healthcare.  I feel that I have a really good sense of what each career in healthcare brings to the table, as well as the interdisciplinary nature of the field.

What have you loved most about Drake?

The things I’ve loved most about Drake are the people.  They are passionate, supportive, and genuine. Drake students allow me to be the most authentic version of myself.  They are fun, hard-working individuals who strive to be the best in their field.

What is a favorite Drake memory you will carry with you?

My favorite memory is being a CPHS Ambassador to mentor underclassmen CPHS students, specifically with registration and pre-professional studies.

What is one piece of advice you have for future students?

My best piece of advice is to step out of your comfort zone.  College is the perfect time in your life to say yes to everything.  I’ve grown exponentially as a student the last four years because I’ve done things that are far out of my comfort zone.