State Representative Maria Antonia Berrios

The Chicago Medical Society (CMS) hosted its second 2009 Legislative Mini-Internship Program on Monday, March 09th. Honored guest, State Representative Maria Antonia “Toni” Berrios shadowed Nestor Ramirez, MD to experience first-hand what it is like to be a physician.

The Legislative Mini-Internship Program matches legislators and civic leaders with physicians for one day. The goal is to expose legislators and civic leaders to the realities of medicine, allowing them to draw their own conclusions about the complexities of the profession. Designed as a two-way communication project, the Legislative Mini-Internship Program offers information to help broaden the perspective of all viewpoints. The program allows CMS members to become better acquainted with legislative responsibilities and deepens the legislator’s understanding of how legislation affects health care.

The program was held at the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The program included several activities, as well as conversation on current legislation that affects both the NICU and physicians in general. Activities included a department tour of the NICU, a Cesarean Section (C-Section) delivery, routine patient checkups, and an overview of his everyday duties in the department.

The internship provided State Representative Berrios with a comprehensive view into services in the NICU. Representative Berrios met with the medical staff and patients to understand the complexity of the NICU.

This program provides a unique platform for CMS members to address health care issues and provides legislators and civic leaders new perspectives within the health care system. The program opens opportunities to create a future physician resource for the legislators and civic leaders on health policy issues helping set the stage for a healthier tomorrow.