From “Grey’s Anatomy” to orthopedic internship

Katie Mullaney

Kyra Gynegrowski poses with a skeleton. Kyra interns at Advanced Orthopedics & Sports in Nanuet, N.Y.

“Some family and friends have tried to discourage her from choosing such an intense career, especially in regards to length of education and the demands on you as a physician, but she is passionate about it,” Regina said. “I believe she will be a very caring, dedicated, and amazing surgeon one day.”

When Gynegrowski broke her ankle and spent an extended amount of time in the hospital, she became fascinated with both medicine and the human body. This fascination led her to enroll last year in PV’s Anatomy and Physiology course taught by Alison Petaccia.

“The body is the most interesting thing in the world,” Kyra said.

Even when she is not at the hospital, Kyra continues to learn at home by watching one of her favorite shows, ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.” Many of the operations that are performed on “Grey’s Anatomy” are similar to those that Kyra has seen at the hospital.

“After watching a few seasons, she was eager to diagnose and I believe she actually would have been willing to do a minor surgery on someone at the age of 11 if someone had agreed,” Regina said.

Kyra is currently working with two orthopedic surgeons, Dr. Jason Fond and Dr. Barry Kraushaar.

Fond has been in practice for more than 25 years and has been a major supporter of the internship.

“The greatest takeaway from the internship is the exposure to an entire specialty of medicine for a high school student,” Fonds said. “In my opinion, it is an invaluable experience that can help shape the future of any student.”

Kraushaar has been working as an orthopedic surgeon for 20 years and is affiliated with the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and Nyack Hospital.

“I really love [the way] Kraushaar presents the options to the patients,” Kyra said. “He gives them the option to first live with it, then gives the second option to do something alternative to surgery such as physical therapy or injections. After, he gives the patient their surgical options. I respect and appreciate the way Kraushaar presents the options to the patients and it is a huge takeaway.” 

Kyra is determined to study pre-med at Marist College in hopes of eventually becoming a doctor of osteopathy in orthopedics or pediatrics. 

Doctors of osteopathy are fully licensed physicians who practice in all areas of medicine. They receive special training in the musculoskeletal system, the nerve system, and learn about the muscles and bones in the human body. Kyra’s ultimate goal is to use her skills to help others to the best of her ability. 

“I want to be able to bring comfort to a kid who might be struggling and in pain,” Kyra said.

Kyra’s personality is related to her motivation to become a doctor.

“Kyra is always happy,” Regina said. “She always has a smile and finds something good about what she is doing or the people that she interacts with. She goes about her day finding the good side of things and works hard at doing that. She feels upset when she can’t seem to help someone feel better with whatever they are going through.”

Laura Grier, one of the internship coordinators, sees this internship to be the first step of a bright future for Kyra.

“Kyra will be very successful due to her outgoing personality, determination, and motivation to do well,”  Grier said.