My name is Riley Wolk, and I will be a sophomore at Saint Louis University this upcoming school year. I am majoring in Health Sciences with the dream of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. This aspiration originated directly from this office and the people who work here. In high school, I was very involved in varsity and traveling volleyball. Unfortunately, this landed me a spot as a patient of Dr. Miller. After nearly two years of appointments and surgeries, I had a good relationship with Dr. Miller and his team. From this relation, I was fortunate to receive the opportunity to have an internship at his office.
Over the course of 7 months, I learned not only about patient care, but about the invisible side of medicine that the patient never notices; some of these things being how to write a physical therapy referral and work status, set up a cortisone injection, and the different examinations for the knee and shoulder. I also had the opportunity to shadow many surgeries, which showed me the basic anatomy of the shoulder and knee and the different repair methods used.
I saw many surgeries and patients in the clinic, but the one thing that stood out to me the most is the way Dr. Miller treats his patients. He spends time learning about the patient as a whole, not just about their injury. It’s my goal in the future to treat patients the way he does. Dr. Miller and his team have been very welcoming to me this summer and act as a second family to me. I am very thankful for this unforgettable experience.
