Mr. Pranay Shah Ajay, 11th semester student of American MD Program of Tbilisi State Medical University has been invited to attend clinical rotations of General Surgery and Surgical Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine in the United States. From October 2019 to January 2020, Mr. Pranay Shah Ajay was at Emory University Clinics. During this time, he worked with the General Surgery team and participated in the surgical operations of the patients with complex surgical cases. Formal teaching at the bedside occurred during morning rounds with the residency students of Emory University. During the clinical rotations Mr. Pranay Shah Ajay had the opportunity to take histories from patients and present them to his attendings with detailed treatment plans and assessments after which he had to document them. In addition, the student of  American MD Program of TSMU had the opportunity to participate in operations. He was also involved in developing a treatment plan and summarizing the patient's condition with professional team.

Ajay Shah Pranay: ”Working day usually started around 5:30am. My duty was to communicate with pre- and post-operational patients, to take histories from patients, assess the conditions and discuss them with my attendings. While in the USA I had the opportunity to assist in complex operations as a student. Besides the fact that during the rotation I was able to participate in operations thrice a week, taking part in assessing and summarizing patient’s condition alongside the professionals broadened my experience”.

It should be noted that Mr. Pranay Shah Ajay also had an extensive experience in the Surgical Oncology Clerkship (Midtown Clinic, Emory, Atlanta). He was a student member of the oncology team and was in the surgical treatment of GI system, breast and skin cancers.

It is worth noting, that student attendance and participation in weekly conferences organized by the department, clinic, or university is  a very important component of the clerkship program at Emory University School of Medicine.  

At the end of the clinical rotation, the student of the American MD Program presented his three-months American experience with a summary presentation at Emory University School of Medicine.

Ajay Shah Pranay: „As a student, I was encouraged by the support of the American MD Program and TSMU to participate in Clinical Clerkships in the United States. I would like to advise my peers and all other students of TSMU to use force to make their best in learning to achieve their goals. The experience I got in Atlanta has changed me a lot, made me more motivated to pursue my goals in career”.

Based on the agreement between TSMU and Emory Univ