Student Experience Spotlight | Diana Guerrero-Nieto

Experiential learning at Campbell University integrates hands-on, practical experiences with academic coursework to provide students with a well-rounded education.

This approach includes internships, service learning, research projects, and fieldwork, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.

By engaging in these activities, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and professional skills that prepare them for their future careers.

Meet Diana Guerrero-Nieto

Major: Kinesiology Pre-Track PA

Experience: Campbell Community Care Clinic

Location: Buies Creek, NC

How did you find out about this experience? 

I found out about this experience through Dr.Ortiz. I had previously volunteered through the North Carolina Farmworkers Project but I found out I could do directly do through Campbell since it was a Campbell run clinic! 

How has your time at Campbell prepared you for this experience?

I took medical terminology 1 with Dr.Ortiz in my fall semester of 2023. This class prepared me immensely to be able to help interpret for the non-English speaking patients that our teams see at clinic. Dr.Ortiz prepared me to be able to use what I learned in a classroom and apply it directly to the medical field that I wish to go into one day. 

What did you learn from your internship?

There is a lot that I have learned from volunteering all summer with the mobile clinic and standing clinic. One of the highlights of my volunteer work this summer was learning how to draw blood and stick people. We were on the way hope from one of the farms that we saw patients at that day and we were talking to one of the lab managers. She mentioned that if we wanted to learn how to draw blood she would teach us. Two of the second year medical students told Kylie Rose, also an undergraduate student, and I that if we wanted to we could practice on them as long as it was okay with Dr.Cacioppo. We spoke to him and he told us that it was absolutely okay to learn as much as we could while we were here!The next day at standing clinic after all of our patients were gone, Wade and Jordan stayed and let us practice on them. I drew the blood on my first time and was so happy that I even got the opportunity to do this! 

How did you grow during this experience?

I interpreted a lot this summer honestly more than I ever have in a medical setting. With that being said I feel like my medical spanish was greatly enhanced. I learned how to interpret a physical exam and with every patient that we saw I feel like I could interpret more effectively and efficiently. I feel like being a medical interpreter this summer for mobile clinic and standing clinic only strengthened my desire to become a provider one day for underserved communities.

If students were to pursue a similar opportunity, what advice would you give them?

I would tell students to not be afraid to sign up and show up for these clinics. The clinic needs help from everyone from taking vitals to interpreting for patients. There is also room for you to shadow if you would like to do that! Get your foot in door and I promise you will not regret it! There is medical students, physician assistant students, pharmacy students, and amazing providers/attendings that will answer all your questions and doubts!