On Saturday, April 22nd, the Department of Anesthesia at the U of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics opened up four operating rooms for SWE members.  Deborah Chudzik, the Department of Anesthesia Administrator, and Samuel Bartmess, senior Anesthesiology Resident, met us in a conference room and gave us a brief introduction of the processes and regulations that go into scheduling and maintaining UIHC operating rooms.  The hospital staff answered many questions pertaining to the responsibilities of the Anesthesia Department.

Then Victoria (Tori) Ritchie, Nursing administrator, handed out bunny suits and we split into two groups.  Each group had a chance to tour the operating rooms while the other group attended an intubation demonstration and simulation by Samuel.

Amongst the operating rooms that were toured were a pediatric cardiology operating room and an operating room where Tori assists in neurosurgery.  An older and unused operating room was also shown during the tour in order to show the advancements that have taken place over the years.  The Anesthesia machines were present in some of the rooms.  We were able to freely walk around the rooms and view the various supplies and equipment in the ORs.

Samuel described the pre-op, intra-op and post-op Anesthesia drugs and medicines that are commonly used during surgeries.  He provided dummies for our groups to try out intubations using a scope.  In addition, he provided insight into the daily activities that are required for hospital residents and how their training is in large part attributed to resident autonomy.  We learned that a day in the life of an Anesthesia Resident is riddled with high stake decisions.

Overall, we learned the careful processes and decisions that are handled each day to ensure patient safety.

A special thanks goes out to the Department of Anesthesia for setting up this tour and allowing us a unique opportunity to see UIHC's operating rooms.

Thanks also to all those who attended!

On Friday, April 7th, 7 members of SWE-ECI once again gathered at the University of Iowa's Seamans Center for Engineering to introduce another class of high school juniors and seniors to a day in the life of an engineer.  The University of Iowa's SWE chapter has hosted their High School conference for many years now, and our chapter continued our tradition of hosting a panel and dinner for the high school and college students.  With most of the engineering disciplines covered from a good range of companies in the corridor, we fielded the standard questions from what it is like to be the only woman in the room, what our day looks like, and what was our most valuable class.  We also fielded the tougher ones like what our LEAST valuable class was, and how we chose between Iowa and Iowa State.  We then had a dinner of Jimmy John's on the patio, allowing the students some one on one time with the professionals.  Overall,  it was a great event and we look forward to continuing next year.  Thanks to the SWE-ECI members who participated!

​Core board members Kristen and Erin spent a night on campus with the U of I section's graduating seniors on March 21st. They talked to the students about the transition from college to a career, and shared information about the value of staying involved in SWE as a professional. SWE ECI was able to give away two professional memberships to the students who attended, and all attendees got to enjoy an evening of great conversation and ice cream sundaes!

On Saturday, April 1st, a number of East Central Iowa and Cedar Valley SWE members came together at NewBo City Market to participate in a workshop entitled "Relationship Power: Getting Things Done without Direct Authority."  Gale Mote, professional development coach and owner of Gale Mote Associates, led us in an hour of hands on and helpful activities to get us thinking about people who get things done and how they do it.  We started with a fun "thumb ball" exercise, worked on associative brainstorming, and to wrap up she reminded us that all relationships must be built on trust.  After, we all got to try some food at the market and network.  Thank you to all who attended!