CervoCheck [The Experience]

Working with Deeps, Rose, and Grandpa (the other members of my team) this year has been a great experience. At the very least, I had a great time and I learned a lot. Our team dynamics are pretty laid back, but we get definitely get our work done. I remember how everyone in our program was stressed out about every single document that came through CBID in the beginning. In the early presentations, we rehearsed, recited, got nervous, and stumbled as we presented to the industry and clinical panels. Then as time went on, it became second nature, and the documents became less stressful. By the end, we were recycling through so many documents that it seemed pretty redundant some of the stuff we had to submit. However, it only attests to how much work we all initially put into the projects.

The same pattern was seen with clinical rotations over the summer. On toes and the edge of our seats the first few days of each rotation, and then falling into a burnt out glob by the end of the summer. Today, during our interview, I think Grandpa said it right when he quoted an advisory board member and key founder of our program in saying "This is medical device boot camp". It really has been. Throwing engineering, the complicated intricacies of the medical device industry and the healthcare business into one year, and expecting full understanding as well as development of ideas. It was a little bit easier than having a book thrown at you, and a lot more fun, but the same concept. I definitely enjoyed every moment of it. Yes, even the late nights or all-nighters in our lab.

Currently with CervoCheck, it seems that Rose and I are moving forward with the company, alongside another addition, Nate. Were going to be roughing it out for the next 6 months, pretty much living at our wits ends and moving things forward ruthlessly. Right now, I think it'll be fun, but I'll let you know more later. We've sat down recently with our clinical director, Dr. Aina, to plan out the next six months, and I anticipate a lot of positive changes in the near future.

On the life side of things, there are a few things I would like to comment on:

• This past weekend, we competed at MOOT Corp Competition, the "Superbowl of Business Plan Competitions" in Austin, Texas. The teams that we've met and made friends with along the way joined us in a post-business plan/graduation celebration. This included members from GlucaGo, Nanomark, and the Spanish team, as well as many new friends from the MOOT competition itself. It was a great time! If anything the MOOT competition was simply the one to end it all. Everyone we met was friendly and enjoyable to be around.
• I'm 22, and my birthday is coming up soon! I will be turning 23 on the day of our graduation. I don't think where I am now is all that bad, but I only hope I can make the most of it. There are still some things I would like to have in my life, but I'll work on them when I can. I'm only hoping I can find someone that will be understanding through my busy schedule. If anything, CBID and CervoCheck has exposed me to a new world with so many interesting people with similar motivations in life. I hope to become acquainted with many of them.
• Yesterday was our goodbye party for CBID. It was touching, full of life advice, laughter, food and drinks. I will miss everyone as they move forward in life.
  

Thank you CBID, CBID faculty, and the friends from CBID for being a part of this story in my life. Over the past year, I know I have grown and developed much as a person. I'm curious as to what the next year will bring, and in the end, I hope to be able to be someone I can be proud of when I look back.