I took my Health Assessment course during the Summer semester of 2006, at the University of Central Florida (UCF), Orlando, Florida. It was a comprehensive Physical and Health assessment program. I enjoyed the practice and the opportunity to further develop my habit and routine of patterning necessary for a thorough exam. I had the opportunity to round with the hospital commander at Ft Leonard wood Army Hospital when I was stationed there. It was an army health screener’s program that they offered. It was in two parts, the academic classroom portion that was 8 weeks long and a second part, for clinical skills assessments and physical exam, for an additional 4 weeks. I was the only person to pass the rigorous first part. This allowed me the unique opportunity to round daily with the Colonel, a very intelligent and worldly physician. Each day we would make clinical rounds in the hospital where he taught me valuable lessons and questioned me about my knowledge and gave me research to do each night.  My best memory was of something he told me once, “If you do a thorough physical exam and an in-depth assessment. Really listen to what the patient tells you, you will learn everything you need to know. Labs and tests serve only to confirm what you already found out”. He was right. I have taken every opportunity to hone my assessment skills and guide my exam to establish a pattern for thoroughness. It has helped me teach others the value of a routine pattern in developing a methodical assessment of “systems”.  Throughout my career, I will continue to practice my assessments and listen to my patients.