Haha, bet you thought I was gone eh? Just kidding... Had a couple exhausting days and really wasn't up for talking about this long, long process called The Match, lol. But man, what a ride it has been.
So jeeze when did all of this begin? Right around June/July of 2009. This is when the ERAS application service opens up and basically you can start saying you are in "application season" when in fact you have until the begining of September until you are allowed to submit it - but yay anyway! So the application process is pretty straight forward. If you have gotten this far in your medical education this is just another hoop to jump through to be honest. By this time you should have your letters of recommendation written or soon to be written as the authors will have to send in their thoughts on you to ERAS directly (cover sheets are included in this section of the application that they have to submit as well). How many do you need? Most programs I think are 3-4. I had 6 but picked the top 4 that I thought would be the strongest. There were a couple people I asked early on in my 3rd year that honestly, and I say this in the most lovingly way possible - finished too quickly. I knew they didn't REALLY know me THAT well and that it was a possibility of being a "cookie cutter" LOR. In the end I ended up picking my family medicine preceptor (someone I've known for a great deal of my life and who was there to even write me a LOR for entering medical school!), my OB/GYN preceptor and assistant program director (absolutely wonderful woman who was so near convincing me that OB/GYN was for me, lol). My third came from my senior resident from heme/onc who prior to my interviews graduated to attending and staff in internal medicine. Finally my last was from my preceptor in my outpatient internal medicine clinic and division head of the program. I have to say, before I get to talking about my interview - this was one of the highlights of my interviews. In all of them, I was told how glowing and wonderful they were and in one instance how they had never seen a two page LOR before, lol! Someday I would really love to read them if I ever could do that...
Up next was my personal statement. I really worked for maybe a week on it. Not that I was lazy but usually when I get into it - I really do and I don't stop until it is perfect. I will post it at the end here to use as inspiration because after all, this is all about YOU! Stealing ideas is only refective of your own personality but getting inspiration to shine your own thoughts and journey to this point are what is important! Really there isn't much to say about this other than to show it to you but, again - and I swear that I am not trying to toot my own horn (come on you have seen all of my board scores lol) but it was loved by my interviewers as well!
There are many other aspects to the application but most are personal data, boring and obvious stuff... Though finally, it comes down to where you want to spend the next 3-5 years of your life. In the end, you submit the application in September or so then await emails to your ERAS message box - waiting for interviews! It's really that simple... Speaking of which, I had received a comment talking about how risky it seems to go the way I did. Well, could not agree with you more! It is a risky thing but the fact of the matter is - I have no interest in moving anymore, even if that means I do not match this year. Call me crazy but it has been a long road for me and Tony and right now we need to be near each other. I applied to most Michigan places and a couple Toledo places as well which were driving distance. I ended up with 8 interviews out of the 15 places I applied. I let go of two other places because I applied to them thinking - worst case I would do the distance for residency. Since I was blessed enough to receive six interviews very close to home, I dropped the other two.
I honestly think that this might be a two-parter, lol. I have so much to talk about regarding interviews that I think it is a topic in itself. So, I will let my next post deal with the fun yet at times nerveracking time visiting and interviewing at other hospitals! Until then, please partake in reading further if you so wish to :)!
So, as promised - my "Internal Medicine Personal Statement"!
In life, many hope to find their passion of what they were meant to become. It is this passion that sustains my own drive, determination and promise of a lifetime service to the health and well-being of others. Through years of preparation for this application, I have found my purpose in the practice of Internal Medicine. Since the beginning of medical school, I have always thought that this was my field of choice. Although not until my clerkship experiences fully exposed me to this field, was I completely captivated by numerous factors. Among these lay the fascination of an internist's practice. To have been educated in the foundation that all of medicine has subsequently developed, truly shows the depth of understanding and complexity of thought that must be utilized throughout any given day. In addition, the role of prevention proves to be an incalculable asset to this practice of medicine. Looking towards preventative medicine instead of chasing a cure not only provokes interest but should make even ourselves strive for such measures. Finally, throughout my clinical experience, I have discovered the perpetual importance of patient continuity. It is for these reasons to be expanded upon that I find Internal Medicine to be the specialty that I was meant to focus my innermost passion towards.
"There are, in truth, no specialties in medicine, since to know fully many of the most important diseases a man must be familiar with their manifestations in many organ" - Sir William Osler
Internal Medicine is the cornerstone of the medical world. Throughout my clinical experience, I have enjoyed my exposure to many different specialties. In their own time, however, each has fallen towards the way-side, unable to fulfill what I aspired to become as a physician. Upon beginning Internal Medicine, I felt that I had found a role that best complemented my personality. Over time, I found myself becoming more astute in my pursuit of diagnoses. I have developed a wider array of thoughts in my differential, pathophysiology and have begun to gain a strong foundation for my lifelong practice as a physician. Additionally, through my work in research, I have found a deeper appreciation for the efforts that make advances in medicine a possibility. This teamwork, which possibly could answer questions that have never been investigated, is an exciting experience. Being part of this team gave me a great feeling of self-worth; to impact how clinical medicine can be improved to become safer and more efficient in addition to positively influencing the future of our health care system.
"One of the first duties of the physician is to educate the masses not to take medicine." - Sir William Osler
Upon beginning my Internal Medicine rotation, it felt that I had found a role that complemented my personality. One core focus, preventative medicine, impacted me the most. In preventative care, seemingly under-appreciated in society today, lay the true foundation of the health care system. During my time in Dominica for the first two years of my medical education, I had spent a great deal of time working with the people of the island in preventative care. Most notably, the Ross Foundation for Dominican Health was a cause which I was delighted to take part. This became my most pivotal experience while in Dominica. After RFDH's first semester, there was no one willing to take control over its leadership, which left this organization a fallen victim to neglect. I found myself wanting to do more with the time that was given to me at this university and chose to lead it from that moment forward. Through RFDH, we were able to raise funds to provide their small hospital with some of their greatest needs, particularly in their neonatal unit. It was with this work that we were able to provide oximeters, an incubator and ventilator, as this facility had only one of each for a population of seventy-three thousand. For the first time in my life, I felt that my efforts made a difference and that without my efforts in this organization, these donations would not have been possible. It was an incredible feeling that will remain with me forever. In such practices of preventative care, we can find ourselves maintaining health instead of chasing after it, allowing us to remain one step ahead of the disease process.
"The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease." - Sir William Osler
An aspect of this specialty which has great importance to me is patient continuity. I feel that it is my duty and privilege to broaden the minds of my patients in order to encourage them to become an advocate for their own health. At the same time, the patients have so much to teach the medical community as well. In my clinic and ward experience, it was wonderful to see how relationships developed that further served to be a stepping stone to improved individual health care. Never will I forget my most memorable patient during my entire clinical experience thus far. This patient was a middle-aged gentleman, kind-hearted with a fantastic sense of humor. Admitted for an exacerbation of his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, it was soon found over his two week stay that he had inoperable cancer. Throughout the two weeks that I spent with him, I found myself wanting to be there not only for him but also for his family, whether it was for medical care, a shoulder to cry on or lended ear. In his last days before passing, I recall being there with him, now unable to recognize who I was, as he began to succumb to his overwhelming illness. Minutes after he had passed, much of his family came to visit, none of whom knew of his demise. Standing alone with this family about to enter the room, I was the only one to deliver the devastating news. It was from our continuity that they found at least some small amount of peace in my being there. It is with this patient continuity that I find purpose and potentially many future gratifying outcomes for those I will serve. This man will always be a reminder of why I belong in this specialty. To me, he represented not only the importance of continuity, but how the prevention of disease holds higher precedence than a cure. Past feelings I once had for RFDH arose in me once more, as I built a rapport with this man and many others, who have confided and trusted in me. In the future, I believe that I will incorporate into my practice this basic human connection. It is this connection that fuels my desire to continually create an atmosphere of patient education and trust, thus allowing me to guide each patient through their continuity of care.
For the next step in my medical career, I hope to join a residency program instilled with these characteristics. I further hope to be part of one rich in the tradition of teaching, as I aspire to one day pass on my knowledge to subsequent generations of physicians. Academic medicine is an extraordinary opportunity to not only continue in my education as medicine advances, but to interact with multiple levels of expertise in the fundamentals of medicine and engage in healthy, intellectual discussions.
All of my experiences that I have been through leading up to this moment have prepared me for the rigor of a competitive residency program. My affinity for teamwork will bring comradery among my colleagues and a deeper appreciation for what can be learned from each other. My goal-oriented, hard-working personality constantly challenges me to push forward towards my aspirations. It is my perseverance, determination and above all my profound passion for this profession which carries me through each passing day, dedicated to the study and the practice of medicine. I know these assets, that define my personality and character, will drive me to bring only my very best everyday to this residency program and throughout my entire career.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Step 2 CS/CK today anyone?
I wanted to spend some time talking about my research but now that I am thinking about it, since all three are currently in the process of possibly being published, I don't know if I am supposed to be talking about it? Maybe I can but I would hate to not be sure and spill the beans on something I shouldn't. I will someday soon though. So instead, I thought I would write a little bit about my Step 2 experiences :)
Well as you would probably expect since I am about to graduate, I did in fact pass both exams - and what would you know - first time around, lol just kidding, some COMP humor :P I decided to take my CS in Chicago of April 2009 pretty much right after I stopped posting when I finished my ER month in Saginaw. I have to say again that ER was the absolute best rotation to do before this exam. This exam consisted of 12 patients (6 in the first session, 6 in the last) to do H&Ps on, write up notes and forumulate a plan. Each encounter got 25 minutes, 15 for the interview and physical exam and 10 minutes after to write up your note. You can choose to write or type your note and I thought that I would type because I type faster than I can write. After some thought, I decided to write it out as I realized that I could not type out any symbols or shorthand. I chose the right way for me though and glad I did because once you choose a way to do your note you cannot change it.
I am not gonna lie, all of my encounters took abotu 10 minutes. They give you a 5 minute warning but I took that as pretty much "time's up" so I could have extra time to work on my note. The cases are really not that difficult. You know what it is pretty much immediately on most cases, it is just that you ask the correct questions, do the correct examinations and provide a workup plan for the patient. If you forget to drape or shake hands a few times - you will NOT fail, lol. Alot of people freaked out about making small mistakes, it happens to everyone including me. I forgot to drape the patient and wash my hands on my first case. I probably did some exam maneuvers wrong but really at the end of the day, I knew I passed. The First Aid for Step 2 CS was a great book for this, especially the cases in the back.
You get 8 hours to complete this exam lunch provided and all. Really by the time you get to this point to take the test, you have interviewed a great number of patients and it truly feels like another day in the office! They are great actors too. Everyone gets nervous too but believe me, it fades down after just a couple enounters - if that. Overall it was a good experience (except for the $1200 cost) and felt great about it afterwards.
After this I went onto radiology for two weeks which I had written about then onto pediatrics and IM. Again, I am very glad my IM rotation was before my Step 2 CK exam on September 29th, 2009. I will be honest, I was exhausted by this time. 3rd year finished, some of 4th year done, just got done planning a wedding and getting married - I did study but honestly just wanted to pass and be done with it. Pretty much how that turned out. I was pretty big on my First Aid book but moreso USMLEWorld questions. The day was just like Step 1, I went to the same place to take this exam but really just was ready to get in and take it. I believe I did my first 2 blocks then a break, blocks 3 and 4 then a break and a break between the rest of the 4 (yes, there is an extra block in this one). I thought it went fine though wasn't thrilled at how I did and was so exhausted of worrying, I really didn't leave crying this time or think about me failing. I actually think Tony, my folks and I went straight to the bar! Anyway, time went on and I found that I passed with a 191/78. More of a sigh of relief than celebration, lol but even looking back on it - well, whatever it is over and I am just fine with that! Granted, I didn't blow away my interviewers with my scores but honestly, they didn't have any questions about it and were quite happy with the rest of my entire application - so I really was not kicking myself about it at all. I did what I could do but know for sure this had no bearing on the physician I would become. If you would ask the staff, residents and attendings I know that most have been extremely impressed by my workups, eagerness to learn and study on my own as well as the patients' own perception of me as a future health care provider. While this will most likely be my next post, my interviews went over so well that I never looked back wishing I had done something different with my time. During all of this craziness, I had found my balance and while I probably sacrificed some of my score to do everything else that was going on in my life - it was worth it. While I can in no way gloat about my scores I can't complain about how great my life was in spite of it :)! Life as I knew it did not end and I was still moving on - and with research on my way after my IM rotation - some much needed stress-free time and especially time to recharge my batteries and enthusiasm to continue on to finish my last year.
Overall, I will say these tests are just a way of sizing you up with other candidates but it in no way exempts you from other things you may lack. Of course, if you score in the top 5% of students and have no personality, yes you might get away with it but someday, when I am a patient with some illness in my ripe old age - I'd rather have someone dedicated to their practice with a personality to connect to than someone who does nothing but pride themselves for the rest of their career about a piddly test they took "x" years ago with nothing in their personality but the God complex. Granted this is an extreme example but believe me even a little arrogance goes a long way in this type of physician. Kinda went off a little but it is my blog so that makes it ok, haha!
Well, GI has some long days and being Monday I feel the need to put my feet up and relax with the hubs until bed. I think I will talk about this year's lovely interview season next! What a wonderful one it was :)! I'll catch you on the flip side ;)...
Well as you would probably expect since I am about to graduate, I did in fact pass both exams - and what would you know - first time around, lol just kidding, some COMP humor :P I decided to take my CS in Chicago of April 2009 pretty much right after I stopped posting when I finished my ER month in Saginaw. I have to say again that ER was the absolute best rotation to do before this exam. This exam consisted of 12 patients (6 in the first session, 6 in the last) to do H&Ps on, write up notes and forumulate a plan. Each encounter got 25 minutes, 15 for the interview and physical exam and 10 minutes after to write up your note. You can choose to write or type your note and I thought that I would type because I type faster than I can write. After some thought, I decided to write it out as I realized that I could not type out any symbols or shorthand. I chose the right way for me though and glad I did because once you choose a way to do your note you cannot change it.
I am not gonna lie, all of my encounters took abotu 10 minutes. They give you a 5 minute warning but I took that as pretty much "time's up" so I could have extra time to work on my note. The cases are really not that difficult. You know what it is pretty much immediately on most cases, it is just that you ask the correct questions, do the correct examinations and provide a workup plan for the patient. If you forget to drape or shake hands a few times - you will NOT fail, lol. Alot of people freaked out about making small mistakes, it happens to everyone including me. I forgot to drape the patient and wash my hands on my first case. I probably did some exam maneuvers wrong but really at the end of the day, I knew I passed. The First Aid for Step 2 CS was a great book for this, especially the cases in the back.
You get 8 hours to complete this exam lunch provided and all. Really by the time you get to this point to take the test, you have interviewed a great number of patients and it truly feels like another day in the office! They are great actors too. Everyone gets nervous too but believe me, it fades down after just a couple enounters - if that. Overall it was a good experience (except for the $1200 cost) and felt great about it afterwards.
After this I went onto radiology for two weeks which I had written about then onto pediatrics and IM. Again, I am very glad my IM rotation was before my Step 2 CK exam on September 29th, 2009. I will be honest, I was exhausted by this time. 3rd year finished, some of 4th year done, just got done planning a wedding and getting married - I did study but honestly just wanted to pass and be done with it. Pretty much how that turned out. I was pretty big on my First Aid book but moreso USMLEWorld questions. The day was just like Step 1, I went to the same place to take this exam but really just was ready to get in and take it. I believe I did my first 2 blocks then a break, blocks 3 and 4 then a break and a break between the rest of the 4 (yes, there is an extra block in this one). I thought it went fine though wasn't thrilled at how I did and was so exhausted of worrying, I really didn't leave crying this time or think about me failing. I actually think Tony, my folks and I went straight to the bar! Anyway, time went on and I found that I passed with a 191/78. More of a sigh of relief than celebration, lol but even looking back on it - well, whatever it is over and I am just fine with that! Granted, I didn't blow away my interviewers with my scores but honestly, they didn't have any questions about it and were quite happy with the rest of my entire application - so I really was not kicking myself about it at all. I did what I could do but know for sure this had no bearing on the physician I would become. If you would ask the staff, residents and attendings I know that most have been extremely impressed by my workups, eagerness to learn and study on my own as well as the patients' own perception of me as a future health care provider. While this will most likely be my next post, my interviews went over so well that I never looked back wishing I had done something different with my time. During all of this craziness, I had found my balance and while I probably sacrificed some of my score to do everything else that was going on in my life - it was worth it. While I can in no way gloat about my scores I can't complain about how great my life was in spite of it :)! Life as I knew it did not end and I was still moving on - and with research on my way after my IM rotation - some much needed stress-free time and especially time to recharge my batteries and enthusiasm to continue on to finish my last year.
Overall, I will say these tests are just a way of sizing you up with other candidates but it in no way exempts you from other things you may lack. Of course, if you score in the top 5% of students and have no personality, yes you might get away with it but someday, when I am a patient with some illness in my ripe old age - I'd rather have someone dedicated to their practice with a personality to connect to than someone who does nothing but pride themselves for the rest of their career about a piddly test they took "x" years ago with nothing in their personality but the God complex. Granted this is an extreme example but believe me even a little arrogance goes a long way in this type of physician. Kinda went off a little but it is my blog so that makes it ok, haha!
Well, GI has some long days and being Monday I feel the need to put my feet up and relax with the hubs until bed. I think I will talk about this year's lovely interview season next! What a wonderful one it was :)! I'll catch you on the flip side ;)...
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Going back in time (again) - 2nd/3rd month IM rotation
Wow, three days in a row - I'm on a roll! Actually, I kinda want to get these posts up so I can begin writing more about current things, such as the match, interviews and preparation for residency! I spent a little of my day reading back on some older posts and cannot believe some of the things I got through and how much it really took to get where I am today... I am still trying to get these things in perspective because finally I am starting to feel that as I am making my way down to the last eight weeks of rotations that I am - gasp - maybe a little bit proud of myself.
My second month consisted of a general medicine floor. Basically, it worked the same as the heme/onc floor with calls and such but the turnover was much faster, with patients staying only 2-3 days compared to a week to two from the month before. This meant more H&Ps, workups, presentations and more. It was nice to experience a fast-paced floor as it would be once residency begins. Again this wasn't a sub-I for me but I still wanted to do as much as I could. We had a guy doing his sub-I in our group but really didn't see it much different from what I was doing. The main difference is that you are in charge of your patients and your note actually "counts" legally. I am telling you though that you can act as a sub-I, even if you aren't. Just like I said from the month before, just get involved. If you are there to work just keep asking to do things. If a new consult comes in, just take it work them up. If orders need to be written, do so. If consult calls have to be made, offer to do it. Literally these things take minutes, lol. But it really shows initiative. Anyway, that is my little rant on that!
During each month, our attendings would change at least once to round with which made it a little challenging as they all had their own styles as to how they liked things presented. But as rotations go on, you get used to listening as a resident presents another patient to the attending and seeing if the attending has criticism or praises afterwards. The order always the same but just the amount of information they really want varies. I had a very nice team again though. Of course, my intern rocked and we had a great time - even during calls! One call though was the night before my bachelorette party and yes, it was an overnight call. This team was more into me being involved all throughout the night but that night they were kind and let me sleep a bit :). It was a bit funny as my senior and three residents and sub-I on the floor were all guys. It was me and 5 guys sleeping/hanging in one room together, lol. Anyway, it was a good month. Full of the usual chief complaints but definitely learned alot.
My final month consisted of outpatient clinic work. I was set up for 8 sessions a week (a session being a 4 hour period, so Monday-Thursday all day). It was nice because my main preceptor allowed me to set up my own hours since I had just gotten married and I was preparing for my Step 2 CK exam. It was great exposure to working with appointments and such but as you can expect it was alot of clinic a week, lol. It was nice being around the same 4-5 attendings and getting exposure to their styles.
Luckily, throughout my time in heme/onc, I met some great fellows who connected me into their research department. I was able to secure a couple of elective months to doing solely research Sepember-November! It was very nice as I was able to connect to their CarePlus system from home and be there to take on more of a wifely role for a while. I really enjoyed that time. While I will end up writing about this most likely a little in my next entry, it led into the holidays which I took off December for our fabulous Hawaiian honeymood and to enjoy with family and friends. See? We are slowly catching up on things! :) We will be to the present in no time and I have spared you from many "oh woe is me" posts, lol! All there is after that is my pulmonology month and this gastrointestinal month. Just to tell you that as my first two weeks were more general GI consults the next two weeks will be hepatology, of which I am super excited to learn about!
I hope you all have a Happy Valentine's Day! We don't celebrate it much but I was actually sent flowers, chocolates and a new teddy ('Lil Tone, after my first teddy Tony Bear, haha!) to the hospital but after a crazy mix up, I never got them, someone else did and took them home only to call ProFlowers.com to tell them of the mistake. I think that they just didn't know who I was since I was only on the floor once in a while over these past two weeks. They told the lady to keep the stuff and they would resend it out the stuff Monday. So I ended up calling them to get it delivered here today and they surely did - yay! Anyway, while Tony was upset it was no longer a surprise, I am now sitting in my robe eating chocolates and watching tv :). This is the life!
My second month consisted of a general medicine floor. Basically, it worked the same as the heme/onc floor with calls and such but the turnover was much faster, with patients staying only 2-3 days compared to a week to two from the month before. This meant more H&Ps, workups, presentations and more. It was nice to experience a fast-paced floor as it would be once residency begins. Again this wasn't a sub-I for me but I still wanted to do as much as I could. We had a guy doing his sub-I in our group but really didn't see it much different from what I was doing. The main difference is that you are in charge of your patients and your note actually "counts" legally. I am telling you though that you can act as a sub-I, even if you aren't. Just like I said from the month before, just get involved. If you are there to work just keep asking to do things. If a new consult comes in, just take it work them up. If orders need to be written, do so. If consult calls have to be made, offer to do it. Literally these things take minutes, lol. But it really shows initiative. Anyway, that is my little rant on that!
During each month, our attendings would change at least once to round with which made it a little challenging as they all had their own styles as to how they liked things presented. But as rotations go on, you get used to listening as a resident presents another patient to the attending and seeing if the attending has criticism or praises afterwards. The order always the same but just the amount of information they really want varies. I had a very nice team again though. Of course, my intern rocked and we had a great time - even during calls! One call though was the night before my bachelorette party and yes, it was an overnight call. This team was more into me being involved all throughout the night but that night they were kind and let me sleep a bit :). It was a bit funny as my senior and three residents and sub-I on the floor were all guys. It was me and 5 guys sleeping/hanging in one room together, lol. Anyway, it was a good month. Full of the usual chief complaints but definitely learned alot.
My final month consisted of outpatient clinic work. I was set up for 8 sessions a week (a session being a 4 hour period, so Monday-Thursday all day). It was nice because my main preceptor allowed me to set up my own hours since I had just gotten married and I was preparing for my Step 2 CK exam. It was great exposure to working with appointments and such but as you can expect it was alot of clinic a week, lol. It was nice being around the same 4-5 attendings and getting exposure to their styles.
Luckily, throughout my time in heme/onc, I met some great fellows who connected me into their research department. I was able to secure a couple of elective months to doing solely research Sepember-November! It was very nice as I was able to connect to their CarePlus system from home and be there to take on more of a wifely role for a while. I really enjoyed that time. While I will end up writing about this most likely a little in my next entry, it led into the holidays which I took off December for our fabulous Hawaiian honeymood and to enjoy with family and friends. See? We are slowly catching up on things! :) We will be to the present in no time and I have spared you from many "oh woe is me" posts, lol! All there is after that is my pulmonology month and this gastrointestinal month. Just to tell you that as my first two weeks were more general GI consults the next two weeks will be hepatology, of which I am super excited to learn about!
I hope you all have a Happy Valentine's Day! We don't celebrate it much but I was actually sent flowers, chocolates and a new teddy ('Lil Tone, after my first teddy Tony Bear, haha!) to the hospital but after a crazy mix up, I never got them, someone else did and took them home only to call ProFlowers.com to tell them of the mistake. I think that they just didn't know who I was since I was only on the floor once in a while over these past two weeks. They told the lady to keep the stuff and they would resend it out the stuff Monday. So I ended up calling them to get it delivered here today and they surely did - yay! Anyway, while Tony was upset it was no longer a surprise, I am now sitting in my robe eating chocolates and watching tv :). This is the life!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Going back in time - 1st month IM rotation
First of all, I just wanted to thank those that had made comments on my last blog. I really didn't expect anyone to have kept checking up whether or not I was still writing, which makes me feel bad but really does make me want to continue on! Maybe it was the wedding planning with rotations. Or actually I bet it was because I had moved back home I could bounce things off my husband moreso than when I was away all the time. It is probably possible that I felt that I might not have needed the blog anymore... I have found though recently though how much I had missed it and actually that I might be able to get advice or give it to other students (and start sparing my hubs from my venting, haha!) In any event, thank you again and will try my best to keep up with it!
So I thought for this entry I would take a little trip back to June of 2009, my first month of my IM rotation. Pretty much was heading into a new hospital system and a quite well known one as well which made it more nerve-racking. I had been asked about how I was able to get a spot there since it was not an affiliate. Well, actually none of my 4th year elective is at affiliate facilities either, which is something else I should speak about. I obviously was sick of moving and I wanted to be home with my little family more than anything and I was willing to do anything I had to in order to do that. I does depend on your state as to how many elective you can do as a non-elective but for me it was alright. Generally it requires you to contact the medical education coordinator and jsut ask how to apply. They will tell you what you need to fax them and this is where the Ross Non-Affiliate Rotation form comes in. Once you submit that to Ross and you submit your application to the hospital, Ross will then process your application and send your transcripts, scores, vaccination records, etc. to the hospital. This takes about 4 weeks, sometimes less if you are lucky. Once it is processed the hospital will contact you that your rotation is set up. Generally this is probably just as easy as an affiliate hospital but just a couple more hoops to jump through. I have done this throughout my whole 4th year and some of my 3rd too. It doesn't take too much and definite worth any extra effort!
Anyway, so I was fortunate enough to meet much of the IM staff over the years with a relative working there. Getting to meet them and stay connected throughout my first couple of years in school, I was able to maintain some contact to hopefully one day be allowed to come for my core. I was very lucky and as far as I know, it was very hard to even get that for me. It took me six months (actually at least) for this to be ironed out with administration, faculty, etc. I was getting nervous as months were going by without it coming up on my schedule. Eventually though it worked and I was signed up for 3 months of IM! From that time, I was able to meet more people in medical education and was able to secure a couple more months of 4th year. Basically, this was all possible through the inital connection. It would be really nice if we could get that affiliate back as I know they were once ours before. From what I see, I know that we would totally rock as students for this facility. Most seem very impressed with my efforts and I feel very comfortable and welcomed to this hospital!
Getting back to my first month, I was placed in hematology/oncology. It was in June so I was placed with an intern and senior resident both about to advance in their training the next month. I have to say, I have actually ALWAYS had awesome teams to work with and this team was just the start of me realizing it! This floor, while the turnover was less - meaning longer stays for patients - it was a busy, busy floor. Basically anyone with potential cancer or someone admitted for a health reason who had a history of cancer was admitted to our floor. We had call q4, though only had to spend the night on Friday/Saturday calls, otherwise they were till 10pm. I had my own patients, though yes unless it is a sub-I, the intern is still in charge of those patients. I just pretty much followed hers. I would do as much of the admission that I could as she taught me how to write the orders, H&P, etc. I would be able to do my pre-rounds, present them daily, keep up on their daily orders/tests and have some responsibility of doing their discharge summary updates in preparation for their discharge. It was great being given so much responsibility! I really felt liek a part of the team. I was even lucky enough to start getting my own med students! I had probably 2-3 recently finished 1st years come in to shadow, here's the funny part - me! It was really great though because it was at this point where I found out how much I have really learned. Their experience in clinical science was little to none so pretty much anything I was doing or seeing could have a teaching aspect to it which made my day that much better!
I tried my best to help in calls, though my team really wouldn't push much to wake me up sometimes but really I wanted to help. I didn't just let myself sleep through my rotation, lol. Anyway, patients on this floor really touched me and for some reason I really wasn't disheartened by these people who in great proportion were in hospice. In this month, I was given great exposure to end-of-life talks with family which was hard at first. I even had a patient that was such a pivotal point in my education, he became a huge part of my personal statement. It was with this patient I had spent two weeks with, through him learning of his terminal illness, to help managing his treatment and be there for his final days. It was even with this patient I gave my first family talk, completely alone mind you, as his passing took place between visits. Maybe this is something I could post for an example for future applicants if anyone would like to read it...
Anyway, staff were on this floor as well, some of whom still recognize me today 8 months later and still are great to chat with! My senior as well the heme/onc fellow were wonderful about letting me get exposed to procedures too. This month I was able to a thoracocentesis and a bone marrow biopsy on my own. The biopsy was a tad difficult pushing hard enough, so yes I had to get help from that but it was great. Maybe it was how hard I worked that they allowed me a chance to try my hand at a procedure.
All in all, this month was fabulous and I am seriously considering a fellowship in hematology/oncology. I really enjoyed my time and I know that must sound so morbid but I felt like it was a place where I belonged. It also seems to be a less stressful fellowship (althought mentally I am sure it could be seen as challenging) to choose from. I have been told that to apply for fellowship requires preparation as soon as my internship year. While applications and interviews begin in PGY-II year, connections, recommendations and research should be pursued from the beginning. I am not sure how true this acutally is but at least if I chose to do this, I think I might have a nice start. I have been doing research for some time now in the heme/onc department and am currently on research project #3 (I will talk about in another blog!). So at least I am some comfort in knowing that I am on track in case I would like to pursue this!
Well, this has been quite a long post but next up I will be talking about my general medicine month, which was my second of my IM rotation! :) As always, let me know of any questions! Talk to you all again soon!
So I thought for this entry I would take a little trip back to June of 2009, my first month of my IM rotation. Pretty much was heading into a new hospital system and a quite well known one as well which made it more nerve-racking. I had been asked about how I was able to get a spot there since it was not an affiliate. Well, actually none of my 4th year elective is at affiliate facilities either, which is something else I should speak about. I obviously was sick of moving and I wanted to be home with my little family more than anything and I was willing to do anything I had to in order to do that. I does depend on your state as to how many elective you can do as a non-elective but for me it was alright. Generally it requires you to contact the medical education coordinator and jsut ask how to apply. They will tell you what you need to fax them and this is where the Ross Non-Affiliate Rotation form comes in. Once you submit that to Ross and you submit your application to the hospital, Ross will then process your application and send your transcripts, scores, vaccination records, etc. to the hospital. This takes about 4 weeks, sometimes less if you are lucky. Once it is processed the hospital will contact you that your rotation is set up. Generally this is probably just as easy as an affiliate hospital but just a couple more hoops to jump through. I have done this throughout my whole 4th year and some of my 3rd too. It doesn't take too much and definite worth any extra effort!
Anyway, so I was fortunate enough to meet much of the IM staff over the years with a relative working there. Getting to meet them and stay connected throughout my first couple of years in school, I was able to maintain some contact to hopefully one day be allowed to come for my core. I was very lucky and as far as I know, it was very hard to even get that for me. It took me six months (actually at least) for this to be ironed out with administration, faculty, etc. I was getting nervous as months were going by without it coming up on my schedule. Eventually though it worked and I was signed up for 3 months of IM! From that time, I was able to meet more people in medical education and was able to secure a couple more months of 4th year. Basically, this was all possible through the inital connection. It would be really nice if we could get that affiliate back as I know they were once ours before. From what I see, I know that we would totally rock as students for this facility. Most seem very impressed with my efforts and I feel very comfortable and welcomed to this hospital!
Getting back to my first month, I was placed in hematology/oncology. It was in June so I was placed with an intern and senior resident both about to advance in their training the next month. I have to say, I have actually ALWAYS had awesome teams to work with and this team was just the start of me realizing it! This floor, while the turnover was less - meaning longer stays for patients - it was a busy, busy floor. Basically anyone with potential cancer or someone admitted for a health reason who had a history of cancer was admitted to our floor. We had call q4, though only had to spend the night on Friday/Saturday calls, otherwise they were till 10pm. I had my own patients, though yes unless it is a sub-I, the intern is still in charge of those patients. I just pretty much followed hers. I would do as much of the admission that I could as she taught me how to write the orders, H&P, etc. I would be able to do my pre-rounds, present them daily, keep up on their daily orders/tests and have some responsibility of doing their discharge summary updates in preparation for their discharge. It was great being given so much responsibility! I really felt liek a part of the team. I was even lucky enough to start getting my own med students! I had probably 2-3 recently finished 1st years come in to shadow, here's the funny part - me! It was really great though because it was at this point where I found out how much I have really learned. Their experience in clinical science was little to none so pretty much anything I was doing or seeing could have a teaching aspect to it which made my day that much better!
I tried my best to help in calls, though my team really wouldn't push much to wake me up sometimes but really I wanted to help. I didn't just let myself sleep through my rotation, lol. Anyway, patients on this floor really touched me and for some reason I really wasn't disheartened by these people who in great proportion were in hospice. In this month, I was given great exposure to end-of-life talks with family which was hard at first. I even had a patient that was such a pivotal point in my education, he became a huge part of my personal statement. It was with this patient I had spent two weeks with, through him learning of his terminal illness, to help managing his treatment and be there for his final days. It was even with this patient I gave my first family talk, completely alone mind you, as his passing took place between visits. Maybe this is something I could post for an example for future applicants if anyone would like to read it...
Anyway, staff were on this floor as well, some of whom still recognize me today 8 months later and still are great to chat with! My senior as well the heme/onc fellow were wonderful about letting me get exposed to procedures too. This month I was able to a thoracocentesis and a bone marrow biopsy on my own. The biopsy was a tad difficult pushing hard enough, so yes I had to get help from that but it was great. Maybe it was how hard I worked that they allowed me a chance to try my hand at a procedure.
All in all, this month was fabulous and I am seriously considering a fellowship in hematology/oncology. I really enjoyed my time and I know that must sound so morbid but I felt like it was a place where I belonged. It also seems to be a less stressful fellowship (althought mentally I am sure it could be seen as challenging) to choose from. I have been told that to apply for fellowship requires preparation as soon as my internship year. While applications and interviews begin in PGY-II year, connections, recommendations and research should be pursued from the beginning. I am not sure how true this acutally is but at least if I chose to do this, I think I might have a nice start. I have been doing research for some time now in the heme/onc department and am currently on research project #3 (I will talk about in another blog!). So at least I am some comfort in knowing that I am on track in case I would like to pursue this!
Well, this has been quite a long post but next up I will be talking about my general medicine month, which was my second of my IM rotation! :) As always, let me know of any questions! Talk to you all again soon!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Once upon a time...
Well, I thought I would begin where I left off - pediatrics. Definitely surprised by finding out that this speciality was not for me. I, along with many of my classmates were having a hard time getting a great teaching experience in this rotation as there were not any residents to work with. We had some time on the floor, outpatient clinic, PICU and dabbled in a few curbside days in endocrine and allery clinic. Really, I have to say that this was probably one of my rotations I have to say the least about. I thought a long time ago I would be working with children, particularly in hematology/oncology but that is no longer the case. While I enjoy seeing kids, I came to a single realization. If I were to do peds, I would have to specialize - meaning it would be at least 5-6 years of post graduate training. There is no way I could do general medicine for children. All the well-child visits were just a little too monotonus to bear with the crying, screaming, etc. Just not in the cards for me but this was good! Narrowing down my options for residency.
Then came the big day... MOVING DAY OUT OF SAGINAW!!!
The day I handed in my apartment keys and permanently moved home was more than I could ever explain. Now, being done with my 16 months on the island, 5th semester gone and my nearly entire 3rd year away from home, it was time - my time to come home and yes, as I can say now since I am now months out of this time, permanently.
As soon as I came back home it was a great weekend back then onto my greatest challenge yet - Beginning at Henry Ford Hospital for my internal medicine rotation! Really I felt that IM was the route that I was going to take as it was June and application season began early in July to start working on applications. I could write for hours, no, days on this topic. I absolutely had the best months of my medical education here. This rotation consisted of three months. The first was a specialized floor, just randomly picked for me but in guess what? Heme/Onc! It was a fabulous month and definitely one I will be elaborating on in the future. My second month was in a general medicine floor that was absolutely bustling with business, a very fast-paced and high turnover floor. My last month was in outpatient clinic which was a nice break form the q4 calls.
Of course, nothing during this time could compare to August 1st, 2009. That's right everyone, I am now a happily married woman! Tony and I are married and it was the most wonderful day in my life! Now, I know alot of people say that because maybe they have to but I'm telling you it was SO FUN! Our reception rocked so much that no one even left, we had to be kicked out to close the place down! The wedding actually took place between my 2nd and 3rd months of my IM rotation. I was SO lucky because I realized that I scheduled 13 weeks instead of 12 for my rotation. So I had to drop a week. I strategically placed it a week after my 2nd month ended, so I acutally ended up with a whole week off before the big day! It worked out awesome and have God to thank for that little blessing! Also, my attending for outpatient clinic allowed me to come in the following Wednesday to begin my outpatient month so I could enjoy a long weekend with my new husband! So kind of him! Of course, with school and his work we just couldn't take time for a honeymoon (which was later taken in December, three days in Waikiki and a seven day hawaiian cruise!!!) but we were able to drive up north the day after the wedding and relax together in peace and quiet! :)
Then it was back to work. Outpatient clinic began but it was much lighter than my inpatient months so it still felt like a vacation. I will be commenting on my IM rotation I am sure multiple times, perhaps one month per blog entry to catch up but they were wonderful. Internal medicine is truly the most facinating residency in my eyes. You get the best of all worlds and see everything! So by this time, my application was submitted the first week of September - and yes I have applied for a categorical position in internal medicine!
While we are on this topic, I might as well comment that I limited myself by applying to only local hospitals. I was told this was a dangerous strategy as I might not match but I knew that I would never want to move again and if that meant that I would have to match next year, so be it. Luckily, the interviews came rolling in! I received 8 interviews and took 6. They all went quite well actually great - I still say interviews are my thang ;). My personality has the chance to come out and I feel that I can read people and situations well to the point that I come across very personable. Throughout my interviews, I got comments back on how great my personal statement was and how impressed they were by my letters of recommendation and extracurriculars. Very positive interview season which began (surprisingly early) in late November with my last being mid-January. It was a great time but I still can't imagine being one of those people who applied to 100+ programs with over 10-20 interviews. Six was plenty for me.
As for now, I am still in my fourth year. I have some research under my belt now, a pulmonary elective and half of a GI elective down with only this month, two weeks of anesthesiology and one month of infectious disease to go! 2010 has been great to me so far!
I think though that I have quite a few topics to talk about in future blogs, that is if anyone ever looks back on this since I have been quite inconsistent over months and months... To be honest, I want to keep up with this blog. I think I have missed out on giving advice, venting and reaching others interested in this field by stopping my entries. It be nice to hear if anyone would even still be interested in me continuing but maybe I just will anyway for me :)! I will plan on talking about my floor months of IM, application process, interviews and catching up with my electives/research that I have been doing over the past few months. Let's see how well I do!
Then came the big day... MOVING DAY OUT OF SAGINAW!!!
The day I handed in my apartment keys and permanently moved home was more than I could ever explain. Now, being done with my 16 months on the island, 5th semester gone and my nearly entire 3rd year away from home, it was time - my time to come home and yes, as I can say now since I am now months out of this time, permanently.
As soon as I came back home it was a great weekend back then onto my greatest challenge yet - Beginning at Henry Ford Hospital for my internal medicine rotation! Really I felt that IM was the route that I was going to take as it was June and application season began early in July to start working on applications. I could write for hours, no, days on this topic. I absolutely had the best months of my medical education here. This rotation consisted of three months. The first was a specialized floor, just randomly picked for me but in guess what? Heme/Onc! It was a fabulous month and definitely one I will be elaborating on in the future. My second month was in a general medicine floor that was absolutely bustling with business, a very fast-paced and high turnover floor. My last month was in outpatient clinic which was a nice break form the q4 calls.
Of course, nothing during this time could compare to August 1st, 2009. That's right everyone, I am now a happily married woman! Tony and I are married and it was the most wonderful day in my life! Now, I know alot of people say that because maybe they have to but I'm telling you it was SO FUN! Our reception rocked so much that no one even left, we had to be kicked out to close the place down! The wedding actually took place between my 2nd and 3rd months of my IM rotation. I was SO lucky because I realized that I scheduled 13 weeks instead of 12 for my rotation. So I had to drop a week. I strategically placed it a week after my 2nd month ended, so I acutally ended up with a whole week off before the big day! It worked out awesome and have God to thank for that little blessing! Also, my attending for outpatient clinic allowed me to come in the following Wednesday to begin my outpatient month so I could enjoy a long weekend with my new husband! So kind of him! Of course, with school and his work we just couldn't take time for a honeymoon (which was later taken in December, three days in Waikiki and a seven day hawaiian cruise!!!) but we were able to drive up north the day after the wedding and relax together in peace and quiet! :)
Then it was back to work. Outpatient clinic began but it was much lighter than my inpatient months so it still felt like a vacation. I will be commenting on my IM rotation I am sure multiple times, perhaps one month per blog entry to catch up but they were wonderful. Internal medicine is truly the most facinating residency in my eyes. You get the best of all worlds and see everything! So by this time, my application was submitted the first week of September - and yes I have applied for a categorical position in internal medicine!
While we are on this topic, I might as well comment that I limited myself by applying to only local hospitals. I was told this was a dangerous strategy as I might not match but I knew that I would never want to move again and if that meant that I would have to match next year, so be it. Luckily, the interviews came rolling in! I received 8 interviews and took 6. They all went quite well actually great - I still say interviews are my thang ;). My personality has the chance to come out and I feel that I can read people and situations well to the point that I come across very personable. Throughout my interviews, I got comments back on how great my personal statement was and how impressed they were by my letters of recommendation and extracurriculars. Very positive interview season which began (surprisingly early) in late November with my last being mid-January. It was a great time but I still can't imagine being one of those people who applied to 100+ programs with over 10-20 interviews. Six was plenty for me.
As for now, I am still in my fourth year. I have some research under my belt now, a pulmonary elective and half of a GI elective down with only this month, two weeks of anesthesiology and one month of infectious disease to go! 2010 has been great to me so far!
I think though that I have quite a few topics to talk about in future blogs, that is if anyone ever looks back on this since I have been quite inconsistent over months and months... To be honest, I want to keep up with this blog. I think I have missed out on giving advice, venting and reaching others interested in this field by stopping my entries. It be nice to hear if anyone would even still be interested in me continuing but maybe I just will anyway for me :)! I will plan on talking about my floor months of IM, application process, interviews and catching up with my electives/research that I have been doing over the past few months. Let's see how well I do!
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