NDCL School News
Senior Caitlin Spicer's simple email request led to a personal interview with Cleveland Clinic President and CEO Tomislav Mihaljevic in his office at the Clinic's main campus.
Spicer Interviews Cleveland Clinic CEO
Senior Caitlin Spicer’s simple email request led to a personal interview with Cleveland Clinic President and CEO Tomislav Mihaljevic in his office at the Clinic’s main campus.
Caitlin reached out to Dr. Mihaljevic as a follow-up to her creative learning internship at the Clinic this summer. She is among 11 NDCL students — an all-time record — selected by the Clinic for its prestigious and competitive internship program this summer.
“My mentor encouraged me to contact Dr. Mihaljevic as part of the research for a book we’re writing on the minority men’s health fair sponsored by the Clinic,” Caitlin explained. “I really didn’t expect anything to come of it, but then his assistant contacted me to schedule an interview.”
Caitlin and another intern met with Dr. Mihaljevic on Aug. 21. Both were understandably nervous to meet with the man who leads an international healthcare system with an $8 billion annual budget and more than 50,000 employees, but Dr. Mihaljevic quickly put them at ease.
“When I was your age, people opened doors for me. I thought I would return the favor,” he said.
Caitlin sees the interview and internship as important pieces in her unfolding plan for the future.
“These experiences opened my eyes to the many possibilities of careers in the medical field. I’m not sure what direction I will pursue, but it is amazing to have the opportunity to experience the options,” she said.
Senior Aids Wildlife Certification
This summer senior Pierce Thomas took the lead to have NDCL’s campus designated as a certified wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.
Pierce’s project included planting blueberry bushes and a variety of nectar-rich plants as food sources for birds, small mammals, monarch butterflies and other insects. He also erected several nesting boxes for various bird species.
Pierce’s work with the National Wildlife Federation led to a surprising connection with Ms. Mary Phillips, NWF’s senior director of wildlife gardening, who also happens to be an NDCL graduate. Ms. Phillips invited Pierce to NWF headquarters in Reston, Va., earlier this month to receive a wildlife habitat plaque.
Ms. Phillips introduced Pierce to the writers and designers who produce NWF’s “National Wildlife” and “Ranger Rick” magazines. Over lunch, he and Ms. Phillips brainstormed ideas to encourage teenagers to participate in NWF’s wildlife photography contest this fall.
Pierce returned home and produced another video that NWF will use to promote the photo contest on Instagram. He will share the video and contest details with the NDCL community soon.
