My capstone internship as a Clinical Research Affiliate at Indiana University Health was one of the most meaningful experiences in my undergraduate career because it allowed me to connect patient care, research, and healthcare operations in a real clinical setting. Working in cardiology and cardio-oncology research gave me the opportunity to interact with patients directly while also contributing to the behind-the-scenes processes that make clinical research possible.

Through this internship, I strengthened both technical and professional skills. I gained experience with informed consent, EMR review, REDCap data entry, clinical data collection, PHQ-9 and Fatigue Assessment Scale administration, and research documentation. I also learned the importance of accuracy, confidentiality, and consistency when managing research data. Small details matter in clinical research because they can affect data quality, study compliance, and the reliability of future findings.

This experience also helped me grow in patient communication and professionalism. I learned how to explain research-related processes clearly, guide patients through study assessments, and adapt my communication style based on each patient’s needs. Working alongside a physician and clinical research team helped me better understand how collaboration, organization, and trust support both patient care and research outcomes.

Overall, this internship reinforced my interest in healthcare administration, clinical operations, and data-informed leadership. It showed me that improving healthcare is not only about direct patient care, but also about building reliable systems, collecting meaningful data, and using research to guide better decisions. This experience will continue to shape my professional goals as I move toward a career focused on improving healthcare delivery, operations, and patient-centered outcomes.