Nina Daponte, Woodland senior, is currently interning at Southbury Training School (STS) where she cares for individuals with special needs and observes different medical professionals. 

“I shadow people of different disciplines such as nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, dental hygienists, [and] observe clinics and many other things,” said Daponte. 

Inspired by her mom, a respiratory therapist at STS, Daponte thought this internship would be a good fit for her.

“My mom would always tell me about the training school and I thought that if I could intern there I would be able to learn more about its history and observe all different disciplines in one place,” Daponte stated. 

At the start of her internship, Daponte learned more about the administrative aspects of medical field professions. As she has continued her internship she was also able to do more hands-on tasks.

“I was able to observe a dental cleaning, an inservice regarding oxygen therapy, filling a liquid portable, [and] an LPS administered medication, ” said Daponte. “And I helped schedule several clinics for the following week.”

As a future nursing student, interning at a medical facility was very important to Daponte. This environment allowed her to learn about many different parts of the medical field as well as certain life skills. 

“STS makes it their mission to help and comfort each of the residents,” said Daponte.

Daponte is nearing the end of her internship. She hopes that the skills she has learned will benefit her as she goes to college for nursing. 

“One main lesson I have learned is that kindness and love go a long way. Each and every person wants to be respected, loved, and feel good.”