Collaborative Interview with Health Interns and Summer Fellows
Exploring Psychiatry Up Close: Anvitha Bheemidi’s Summer Fellowship Journey at Improve Life PLLC
Written by: Mouktika Narala
June 31st
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​A Broader Understanding of Healthcare
Anvitha initially joined the program with a general interest in medicine, but her time at Improve Life PLLC has opened her eyes to the importance of mental health in patient care.
“This fellowship has given me a much clearer idea of what working in healthcare actually feels like day to day,” she explains. “I used to think psychiatry was mostly just prescribing meds, but now I see how much counseling, assessment, and coordination it takes.”
From shadowing mental health professionals to observing how clinicians engage with patients facing trauma, depression, anxiety, or psychosis, Anvitha’s experience is helping her consider psychiatry or psychology as a serious career path.
Hands-On Experience: The Suture Clinic
One highlight of her time with Improve Life PLLC came when she was an intern participating in the Suture Clinic.
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“I’d never done anything like that before. Handling the instruments and learning how to do stitches properly was really satisfying,” she shares.
Experiences like this bring textbook concepts to life. They allow students to gain confidence, develop clinical dexterity, and better understand the physical and procedural aspects of medical care, skills that continue to support her journey as a Summer Fellow.
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Tips for Future Healthcare Students
Anvitha has a few key takeaways for high school or college students thinking about pursuing medicine:
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Take fellowships and shadowing seriously: "Real-life exposure is totally different from what you read in textbooks."
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Ask questions: “Even if it feels dumb—just ask. That’s how you learn.”
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Explore widely: “Get a broad look at different specialties before narrowing your path.”
These tips reflect the value of experiences like the Summer Fellowship at Improve Life PLLC, especially for students looking to gain early insight into healthcare careers.​​
Breaking Misconceptions About Psychiatry
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Anvitha was most surprised by how collaborative and fast-paced psychiatric care can be.
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“I thought it would be one-on-one therapy or quick med checks, but there’s a whole team:
nurses, therapists, psychiatrists, case managers. It’s really dynamic.”
This team-based approach allows Improve Life PLLC to treat the whole patient, providing both medical and emotional support, often across multiple appointments and providers.
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Final Thoughts
Anvitha’s experience at Improve Life PLLC is already helping her better understand how both medical and mental health care play a role in patient wellness, and shaping the kind of doctor she hopes to become.
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Interested in joining our internship or fellowship program?
Contact Improve Life PLLC today or visit our Educational Opportunities page!
When most students think about a career in medicine, they often picture emergency rooms, stethoscopes, or surgery. But for Anvitha Bheemidi, a Summer Fellow at Improve Life PLLC, the reality of healthcare has turned out to be much more layered and inspiring. Through her pre-med fellowship in Northern Virginia, Anvitha is getting an insider’s view of psychiatry, mental health care, and team-based patient support that’s already shaping her career goals.
From Instagram to Intern: Angel’s Journey Through a Pre-Med Internship in Virginia
Written by: Dainna Park
June 31st
Meet Angel, a passionate pre-med intern at Improve Life PLLC in Northern Virginia.
She shares how hands-on experience in psychiatry helped shape her future as a physician.
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How a Healthcare Internship Turned Passion Into Purpose
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If you're a student exploring pre-med internships in Northern Virginia, Angel's story is one you’ll want to hear. She’s currently a health intern at Improve Life PLLC, where she’s gaining real-world clinical and professional experience in a supportive, forward-thinking psychiatric clinic.
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“Since I can remember, I’ve always wanted to become a physician—whether surgical or clinical. I was inspired by the selfless, empathetic work that doctors do every day,” Angel says.
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That early passion led her to seek out opportunities that aligned with both her values and goals. And one day, she found what she was looking for—on Instagram.
Why She Chose Improve Life PLLC
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Angel discovered Improve Life PLLC on social media and immediately felt a connection.
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“I saw how they made the clinic feel warm and welcoming. Mental health can be intimidating for patients, but Improve Life really puts effort into making their space comfortable and safe.”
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In addition to its strong values, Angel also wanted to understand the business side of running a clinic—something Improve Life PLLC offered firsthand experience in.
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“I’ve learned so much about the logistics, finances, and legal responsibilities of owning a private psychiatric practice. It’s something most students don’t get exposed to.”
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Favorite Experience: Behind-the-Scenes Marketing
While many interns rave about suture clinics or patient shadowing, Angel’s top highlight has been working with the marketing team.
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“It opened my eyes to how much effort goes into building a clinic—not just practicing medicine, but promoting it, managing operations, and maintaining a brand.”
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This experience gave her a broader appreciation for how successful private practices like Improve Life PLLC operate.
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Working in a Psychiatric Setting: Lessons in Privacy and Empathy
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Psychiatry internships come with unique challenges, and Angel took those seriously.
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“I became HIPAA certified during the internship. I learned how essential confidentiality is, especially in mental health. It’s not just paperwork—it’s a sacred trust between patients and providers.”
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She also developed her emotional intelligence.
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“Diagnosing certain psychiatric conditions was hard at times. It made me realize how deeply empathy needs to be woven into every part of patient care.”
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How This Internship Shaped Her Career Goals
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“I always thought I was professional, but this internship pushed me further. From how I dress to how I write and communicate, I’ve grown a lot.”
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Angel says she now feels better prepared not just for medical school—but for working in any healthcare setting.
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Advice for Future Interns
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“Pick an internship that actually interests you—not just one that looks good on paper. Passion makes a huge difference in your effort and the connections you make.”
She also encourages new interns to stay open-minded and committed to learning:
“The more you put in, the more you get out.”
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What Surprised Her Most
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“Dr. Waggel genuinely invests in her interns. She gives lectures, YouTube videos, and even individual recognition when someone does well. It’s not something I expected—but it’s something I’m extremely grateful for.”
Interested in a Pre-Med Internship in Northern Virginia?
Whether you're interested in psychiatry, pre-med shadowing, or just want to explore healthcare up close, the Improve Life PLLC internship program gives students real exposure to clinical care and professional development.
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Learn more about our internship opportunities
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Contact Improve Life PLLC today
Inside a Psychiatry Internship at Improve Life PLLC
Written by: Diya Kumarasamy
June 31st
We spoke with Hansika Gautama, a Pre-Health intern at Improve Life
PLLC, about her internship experience in psychiatry. She shares how
this opportunity shaped her career goals and what she learned about
mental health, marketing, and mentorship.
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Healthcare internships in Virginia offer more than just shadowing doctors in Northern Virginia, they shape futures. At Improve Life PLLC, interns are immersed in real clinical environments, gaining first-hand experience in psychiatry and beyond. We interviewed Hansika Gautama, one of the Pre-Health interns, to hear how her time at Improve Life PLLC is influencing her path in medicine.
Hansika, a passionate high school student aspiring to enter the healthcare field, joined Improve Life PLLC to explore the intersection of medicine, mental health, and communication.
“This experience has opened my eyes to how nuanced psychiatry is. I’ve learned not just about disorders, but also how to interact with patients, run a practice, and even market a clinic ethically.”
From learning about various diagnoses and disorders to understanding treatment plans, Hansika and other Improve Life PLLC interns take an active role in discovering how a psychiatric clinic operates behind the scenes.
Internship Highlights
Hansika’s top highlights? She says that one of the most interesting experiences in this internship were the networking events, especially the LCPS Wellness Fair.
“The LCPS networking event was one of my favorite experiences because I got to go around with other interns and talk to many different healthcare professionals and got to explore the networking process for Improve Life”
Another activity Hansika really enjoyed was the anonymous psychiatric cases, an activity that mimics real-world clinical decision making.
“I thought it was really fun to look at anonymous cases and identify the symptoms like a psychiatrist would prescribe. It was a fun activity and we also learned a lot from it!”
Improve Life PLLC offers a blend of professional experience and education. Dr. Waggel works closely with the interns to ensure they are benefitting and working to the best of their ability. These experiences show that interns at Improve Life PLLC are not just observing, but participating. They have the chance to apply textbook knowledge to real scenarios and understand what it is like to be a healthcare professional.
Advice for Future Interns
When asked what advice she’d give to future interns, Hansika offered:
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Tips for Aspiring Healthcare Students and Improve Life PLLC Interns:
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Be patient with yourself: Not everything will click right away and that’s okay!
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Master time management: Balancing assignments, projects, and clinical learning is essential.
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Bring warmth: Empathy, open-mindedness, and strong interpersonal skills are especially valuable in psychiatry.
Hansika has learned to be a welcoming and inviting person by observing Dr. Waggel:
“Dr. Waggel is always willing to help people and she has a very warm personality. I learned that when you’re interacting directly with patients it is important to have an inviting personalist so patients can feel comfortable and understood during their visits!”
Setbacks are part of the journey and persistence is key in any healthcare path.
What was Surprising about Working at a Clinic
Many might think about the experiences you gain with handling patients and observing psychiatrists. This is true, but there is more knowledge gained when working at Improve Life PLLC. Interns also learn valuable skills in marketing and networking in psychiatry and how to expand a business.
“I didn’t expect how much credibility and communication would matter in building a practice. Dr. Waggel showed us how vital it is to connect with communities and create partnerships.”
Interns also discovered that professional branding and a strong online presence play a key role in building patient trust. These skills are essential in today’s healthcare landscape and are rarely taught in other internships. That’s part of what makes Improve Life PLLC so unique!
Why Improve Life PLLC?
This psychiatry internship experience at Improve Life PLLC allows students to contribute meaningfully while gaining clinical insight. Whether it’s brainstorming research projects, participating in debates, or shadowing doctors in Northern Virginia, interns are treated like future professionals. With hands-on experience, mentorship, and opportunities to explore specialties like psychiatry, it’s one of the most immersive pre-med internships available in Virginia.
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Interested in joining our internship program?
Contact Improve Life PLLC today or explore our Internship Opportunities!
Behind the Scenes of Healthcare: A Candid Chat with a Summer Fellow at Improve Life PLLC
Written by: Hasini Nandimandalam
June 26
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When people think of internships, they usually imagine coffee runs and data entry. But at Improve Life PLLC, the experience is a whole different game.
I recently sat down with Marissa, a returning Summer Fellow at Improve Life PLLC, to talk about her journey in the program. What I expected to be a brief Q&A turned into an insightful deep dive into what real hands-on healthcare learning looks like. Spoiler alert: it’s a lot more than taking vitals and filing paperwork.
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Shaping a Future in Medicine
Right off the bat, Marissa emphasized how rare it is to find a psychiatry internship experience that gives students as much agency and exposure as this one. “There aren’t many programs that let students be so deeply involved in actual practice,” she told me. “Dr. Waggel lets us choose how we want to contribute — whether it's shadowing, helping with front desk operations, or doing SEO and outreach. Or all three.”
For Marissa, taking on multiple roles wasn’t just about racking up experiences — it was about finding what truly sparked her interest in medicine. “I learned how to manage appointments, interact with patients professionally, take vitals, write SOAP notes, conduct a Mental Status Exam, and even diagnose and create treatment plans. That kind of training is invaluable for someone like me who wants to go to med school.”
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Favorite Experiences: Beyond the Expected
When asked about her favorite part, Marissa didn’t hesitate: “The Mini Medical School sessions and the Suture Clinic were obviously cool, but the best part has honestly been the real-world trust Dr. Waggel gives us. Like, I’ve been involved in hiring a new doctor. That’s not something you get to say every day as a pre-med student.”
She also mentioned how being allowed to make actual phone calls to patients and facilities pushed her out of her comfort zone and taught her how to communicate clearly and confidently. “That part surprised me the most,” she laughed. “I used to get nervous even calling for takeout.”
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Advice for Future Healthcare Interns
Marissa didn’t hold back when asked for her best advice to future interns.
“Don’t procrastinate. You might think waiting till the last day to finish something is fine — and sure, in school, maybe it is — but in healthcare, you can’t afford that. Things come up all the time. If you wait, something more urgent will push your task back and then you’re behind. You’ve got to treat every assignment like it matters because it does.”
She added that being consistent and showing initiative will set you apart. “Dr. Waggel notices when you're on top of things. It makes you look dependable, and in this field, that matters more than being the smartest person in the room.”
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Surprises in Psychiatry and Running a Practice
One thing Marissa wasn’t expecting? How much time a clinic spends on marketing. “We’re taught medicine is all about helping people, and it is. But if no one knows your practice exists, you can’t help anyone.”
She’s now helped develop content for social media, participated in SEO strategy, and assisted with outreach campaigns. “It’s not just creating Instagram reels,” she explained. “You’re learning how to make a practice succeed, not just how to treat patients.”
This behind-the-scenes look at running a psychiatric practice in Northern Virginia helped her realize that medicine isn’t just about science — it’s about communication, leadership, and business strategy too.
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Why Improve Life Stands Out
“Dr. Waggel isn’t one of those doctors who just shows up once a week to ‘supervise’ interns. She’s in the trenches with us. She gives feedback, assigns tasks, and actually takes the time to get to know each of us.”
It’s clear that Improve Life PLLC is more than a bullet point on a resume — it’s a full-on launchpad for any student serious about a career in healthcare.
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Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for healthcare internships in Virginia that give you real responsibilities, close mentorship, and a holistic understanding of what it takes to succeed in medicine, this is it. Whether you're shadowing doctors in Northern Virginia, helping with psychiatric care, or brainstorming TikToks to grow the clinic's reach, you’re gaining the kind of well-rounded experience that’ll follow you long after the internship ends.
Marissa summed it up perfectly:
“This internship prepares you for any field in medicine. That’s what makes it so special. You don’t just learn about psychiatry — you learn how to show up, how to lead, and how to make things happen.”
Want to learn more about Improve Life PLLC or apply for an internship? Keep your eye on their website and social media for updates. Spots fill fast — and now we know why.
