Empowering Heart Health: A Winant Fellow’s Transformative Summer at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

The Winant Fellowship program at the Carsey School offers UNH undergraduate students the opportunity to immerse themselves in public service through impactful summer internships with non-profit and government agencies. The program places fellows in roles where they can contribute to community well-being, gaining hands-on experience in fields like healthcare, social justice, and public policy. For one Winant Fellow, this opportunity led to a transformative summer at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC).

"One of the most rewarding aspects of this internship was witnessing the remarkable progress each patient made and seeing how much happier and confident they were upon graduating from the program."

Over the summer of 2024, Ella Dulac embarked on a journey at DHMC, immersing herself in the world of cardiac rehabilitation. Her internship provided a unique blend of hands-on experiences, patient interaction, and clinical observation, all of which deepened her understanding of cardiac care and fueled her passion for promoting heart health.

"My role involved not just guiding [patients] through their physical rehabilitation, but also offering emotional support. Understanding their backgrounds, fears, and motivations helped me to better support and encourage them to embrace the rehabilitation process," explained Ella.

A big part of her day-to-day work involved leading cardiac rehabilitation classes, where she taught patients the importance of regular exercise in maintaining heart health. These sessions provided opportunities for monitoring and educating patients while they exercised. In addition to her direct work with patients, Ella took on several projects aimed at enhancing the rehabilitation process, including the creation of exercise education pamphlets, resistance training guides, and workout logs! The guides became a valuable tool empowering patients to exercise with confidence, while the log quickly became a favorite, providing a clear sense of accomplishment and progress for the participants.

"One of the most rewarding aspects of this internship was witnessing the remarkable progress each patient made and seeing how much happier and confident they were upon graduating from the program."

Beyond her work with patients, Ella had the opportunity to observe various cardiac procedures, including Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI) and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacements (TAVR). These experiences broadened her understanding of the complex medical landscape and highlighted the importance of comprehensive care. To learn more about Ella's journey and how her summer experience transformed into a passion for heart health, check out her full report in our recent blog post.

If you're inspired by the idea of making a difference through public service, consider exploring how a master's degree from the Carsey School can equip you to serve your community.