Check out the article on the Stanford Med website here: Student project thanks the often-unsung teachers of medical school: the patients. Fellow student Jia Luo put it all together beautifully. Happy to see it's getting some publicity.
Showing posts with label med school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label med school. Show all posts
Friday, May 23, 2014
Thank You Cards You Have Yet to Send
Thank You Cards You Have Yet to Send is a project I helped create at Stanford Med with a few other members of the Gold Humanism Society. It's meant to serve as recognition of all the patients and families we have worked with and learned from during medical school.
Check out the article on the Stanford Med website here: Student project thanks the often-unsung teachers of medical school: the patients. Fellow student Jia Luo put it all together beautifully. Happy to see it's getting some publicity.
Check out the article on the Stanford Med website here: Student project thanks the often-unsung teachers of medical school: the patients. Fellow student Jia Luo put it all together beautifully. Happy to see it's getting some publicity.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Reflections
You might have noticed there have been some design changes around here. I hope you like the new look, I do! In a bout of reflection (read: procrastination), I re-read a bunch of my "med school" posts.
Some reflections...
1. I am SUCH a science geek.
Love of human anatomy? Awestruck by developmental biology? Losing my sensibilities while studying pulmonology? In disbelief over the fact that we have an aqueduct in our brain? Somethings don't change...
Except now I don't just love it, I fear it. Clinical medicine has shown me up close and personal all the terrible, no good things that can go wrong. Now it's more of a reverence. You've got to pay respect your body so it doesn't go haywire on you. Even if you do pay respects, it still might go bonkers.
2. OMG I have learned so much.
My posts about the vocabulary I was learning at the time are particular endearing. Medicine is really all about building blocks, which allow you to learn more and more and more.
Mountains and mountains of knowledge.
3. OMG I have forgotten so much.
This hits me especially as I study for USMLE Step 2. I was like the smartest person in the world when I took Step 1. I really think it's the height of my brain capacity.
Clinical years lead to more medical savvy, but I wouldn't say more medical knowledge...Except of my specific patients. How do you have three patients with cholangiocarcinoma during internal medicine, NMDA receptor encephalitis in neurology, placenta accreta in ob/gyn, but have never treated a patient with Alzheimers or Rheumatoid Arthritis? I've forgotten almost all of neuroanatomy. There is a brain, and spinal cord, and some nerves...(JK I remember a little more than that...)
4. Compassion is the name of the game
I love clinical medicine, because I get to take care of people! I get to figure out what they need medically, but also how to break bad news, break good news, explain tests, ask for help, talk with family, explain that I don't know that answer but I'll find out, explain that we don't know what the heck is going on, explain that we know exactly what is going on but don't have any great treatments, or my personal favorite, we know what is going on and we're going to do something about it! My biggest medical school accomplishment? I am most honored by the fact that I was nominated by my peers to the Gold Humanism Honor Society.
5. There's just so many ways to be awesome every day!
Medicine is not the end all be all of professions. While for me, it's the right choice, and I'm happy to have the privilege of becoming a doctor. I've gained an ENORMOUS amount of respect for all the other people in the hospital AND the non-health care settings. We need good pharmacists, nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers. We need good parents, good grandparents, good cousins and aunts and uncles and friends. We need good mayors and county supervisors, and state senators. We need good neighbors and small business owners. If there's anything I learned from medical school, is that you certainly don't have to be a doctor to help someone. Just being the best version of yourself. It is SO SO SO important. Be a stay at home mom, be a part time teacher, be an astronaut, be a CEO, or a mailman but make sure you know what your values are, and hold on to them steadfastly.
Okay, I'm all reflected out right now. I'm sure in the future I'll have more reflections to share with you!
Some reflections...
1. I am SUCH a science geek.
Love of human anatomy? Awestruck by developmental biology? Losing my sensibilities while studying pulmonology? In disbelief over the fact that we have an aqueduct in our brain? Somethings don't change...
Except now I don't just love it, I fear it. Clinical medicine has shown me up close and personal all the terrible, no good things that can go wrong. Now it's more of a reverence. You've got to pay respect your body so it doesn't go haywire on you. Even if you do pay respects, it still might go bonkers.2. OMG I have learned so much.
My posts about the vocabulary I was learning at the time are particular endearing. Medicine is really all about building blocks, which allow you to learn more and more and more.Mountains and mountains of knowledge.
3. OMG I have forgotten so much.
This hits me especially as I study for USMLE Step 2. I was like the smartest person in the world when I took Step 1. I really think it's the height of my brain capacity.
4. Compassion is the name of the game
I love clinical medicine, because I get to take care of people! I get to figure out what they need medically, but also how to break bad news, break good news, explain tests, ask for help, talk with family, explain that I don't know that answer but I'll find out, explain that we don't know what the heck is going on, explain that we know exactly what is going on but don't have any great treatments, or my personal favorite, we know what is going on and we're going to do something about it! My biggest medical school accomplishment? I am most honored by the fact that I was nominated by my peers to the Gold Humanism Honor Society.
5. There's just so many ways to be awesome every day!
Medicine is not the end all be all of professions. While for me, it's the right choice, and I'm happy to have the privilege of becoming a doctor. I've gained an ENORMOUS amount of respect for all the other people in the hospital AND the non-health care settings. We need good pharmacists, nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers. We need good parents, good grandparents, good cousins and aunts and uncles and friends. We need good mayors and county supervisors, and state senators. We need good neighbors and small business owners. If there's anything I learned from medical school, is that you certainly don't have to be a doctor to help someone. Just being the best version of yourself. It is SO SO SO important. Be a stay at home mom, be a part time teacher, be an astronaut, be a CEO, or a mailman but make sure you know what your values are, and hold on to them steadfastly.Okay, I'm all reflected out right now. I'm sure in the future I'll have more reflections to share with you!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Quote of the day
While I was doing a neurologic exam on a cute 4th grade boy, I asked him to smile, he smiled cutely. Then I asked him to make a mean face.
Response: "But I don't like to make mean faces!"
You can't get more adorable and lovable then that!
Response: "But I don't like to make mean faces!"
You can't get more adorable and lovable then that!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Cute Barbie sightings
Little girl in the neurologist office using a reflex hammer on Barbie.
Little girl in the hospital for several months has built a shrine to Barbie and Justin Bieber. "Barbie's better" she instantly responds when asked which is her favorite.
Lessons learned:
1. Barbie = timeless.
2. Little girls = adorable addition to my day.
Little girl in the hospital for several months has built a shrine to Barbie and Justin Bieber. "Barbie's better" she instantly responds when asked which is her favorite.
Lessons learned:
1. Barbie = timeless.
2. Little girls = adorable addition to my day.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
The most difficult specialty in medicine
Family Medicine.
Are you surprised at my answer? Here are my 5 top reasons, see if you disagree by the end.
1. Breadth of knowledge.
General practitioners like to say they care for patients from "womb to tomb". It's impressive. Knowing pediatrics, preventive medicine, all specialties, geriatrics, end of life care. On any given day in the clinic I would see cases that spanned the entire first two years of medical school.
2. Early infancy of disease processes.
It's easy for the specialist to look back and say, how did the PCP miss this? The tough part of primary care is that you see disease in it's early phases, often before the easy hallmarks become apparent. It's really difficult to diagnose some diseases in their early phases.
3. Behavior change.
We all know how to stay healthy: diet, exercise, sleep, joy in our life, avoid stress, good relationships, no evils like smoking, alcohol or drugs. Easy eh? These are the things that GPs deal with every day, they are in the trenches trying to improve health care in the U.S.
4. Keeping pace with changes across medicine.
How many studies and policy changes occur every year? How do you decide which ones to follow, to change your management of patient care? Keeping up with the NY Times controversies, from cancer screening to statin side effects to HPV vaccines and contraception -a frontline doc needs to stay on top of the headlines and have a critical take to inform their patients.
5. Current structure of healthcare delivery.
GPs bare the brunt of the disaster that is currently known as American health care delivery. They're also going to be the area of medicine most transformed in my life time, no doubt about it. Change is hard.
PS. Family medicine, general practitioner, primary care provider, pediatrician, general internist are all generalists, first line doctors who help keep America healthy.
Are you surprised at my answer? Here are my 5 top reasons, see if you disagree by the end.
1. Breadth of knowledge.
General practitioners like to say they care for patients from "womb to tomb". It's impressive. Knowing pediatrics, preventive medicine, all specialties, geriatrics, end of life care. On any given day in the clinic I would see cases that spanned the entire first two years of medical school.
2. Early infancy of disease processes.
It's easy for the specialist to look back and say, how did the PCP miss this? The tough part of primary care is that you see disease in it's early phases, often before the easy hallmarks become apparent. It's really difficult to diagnose some diseases in their early phases.
3. Behavior change.
We all know how to stay healthy: diet, exercise, sleep, joy in our life, avoid stress, good relationships, no evils like smoking, alcohol or drugs. Easy eh? These are the things that GPs deal with every day, they are in the trenches trying to improve health care in the U.S.
4. Keeping pace with changes across medicine.
How many studies and policy changes occur every year? How do you decide which ones to follow, to change your management of patient care? Keeping up with the NY Times controversies, from cancer screening to statin side effects to HPV vaccines and contraception -a frontline doc needs to stay on top of the headlines and have a critical take to inform their patients.
5. Current structure of healthcare delivery.
GPs bare the brunt of the disaster that is currently known as American health care delivery. They're also going to be the area of medicine most transformed in my life time, no doubt about it. Change is hard.
PS. Family medicine, general practitioner, primary care provider, pediatrician, general internist are all generalists, first line doctors who help keep America healthy.
Cirugía
Here's a sampling of the surgeries I had the privilege of scrubbing in on during my surgical rotation this winter:
Open Heart Surgery (CABG)
Mitral valve replacement
Kidney transplant
Arteriovenous fistula
Below the knee amputation (BKA)
Gallbladder removal (Cholecystectomy)
Appendectomy
Colon cancer removal (Sigmoid colectomy, hemicolectomy, colostomy)
Lung cancer removal (VATS thoracotomy)
Stomach cancer removal (Partial gastrectomy)
Umbilical hernia repair
Inguinal hernia repair
Mastectomy
Lumpectomy
I hope everyone has recovered and is doing well!
Open Heart Surgery (CABG)
Mitral valve replacement
Kidney transplant
Arteriovenous fistula
Below the knee amputation (BKA)
Gallbladder removal (Cholecystectomy)
Appendectomy
Colon cancer removal (Sigmoid colectomy, hemicolectomy, colostomy)
Lung cancer removal (VATS thoracotomy)
Stomach cancer removal (Partial gastrectomy)
Umbilical hernia repair
Inguinal hernia repair
Mastectomy
Lumpectomy
I hope everyone has recovered and is doing well!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Cardiothoracic surgery = Baller
Cardiothoracic surgery at the Palo Alto VA. Open heart surgeries, helping with the venous graft is awesome. I'm really loving surgery so far. It's the first rotation where I'm not groaning immensely at the absurd hours I have to wake up. Probably because there's no time to groan! It's 0 to 60 in 5 seconds on surgery.
Still running despite the crazy hours. My rule: if I get home before 8pm I run. Ran 9+ miles today, felt good! But it always feels good to run. I think my coronary vessels were happy about it too. They also appreciated the kale & white bean soup I made for dinner.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Who would you give your kidney to?
Transplant surgery is incredible. I saw a living donor kidney transplant, which is a win-win because no one needs to die and the person still gets a new kidney! I would definitely donate my kidney if the situation every came up. Now, thanks to the strong immunosuppression drugs (thanks tacrolimus, the infamous IL-2 inhibitor!), you only need to have the same blood type to donate your kidney. Amazing.
What was even more impressive is that the surgery to transplant the new kidney took under 2 hours! Transplant surgery is really impressive, including the doctors, nurses, PAs, pharmacists and of course the patients, and the altruistic donors. It takes a TEAM to get someone a new organ!
On to cardiothoracic surgery. Great first day, should be an exciting two weeks! I somehow got two of the most intense surgical specialties, really enjoying it so far.
In other exciting news, I think I've just about beat the cold I've been battling, went on my first run in a while. Felt SO GOOD.
What was even more impressive is that the surgery to transplant the new kidney took under 2 hours! Transplant surgery is really impressive, including the doctors, nurses, PAs, pharmacists and of course the patients, and the altruistic donors. It takes a TEAM to get someone a new organ!
On to cardiothoracic surgery. Great first day, should be an exciting two weeks! I somehow got two of the most intense surgical specialties, really enjoying it so far.
In other exciting news, I think I've just about beat the cold I've been battling, went on my first run in a while. Felt SO GOOD.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Surgery!
Started my surgery rotation this week. Transplant surgery, Cardiothoracic, and General surgery. Wish me luck!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Final Exam
Just finished reading Pauline Chen's Final Exam. She came and gave a lecture at Stanford last year and I was really impressed. Her book was a good read for someone in medical school, not sure how appealing it would be to nonmed folks. She was very honest, which I appreciated, throughout the book. Good read overall!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Pediatrics
Yes, I've finished boards, my preclinical years, and entered clerkships. If you get sick in the Bay area peninsula region, you might just see me knocking on your exam room door. My first rotation is pediatrics. I started in July with a month of outpatient pediatrics clinic. I was in the Endocrine specialty clinic, the Acute Care Center at Packard, the Adolescent Health Clinic, and even the Well Baby Nursery. It is such an honor to be serving patients and working alongside such outstanding professionals. I've seen many interesting medical cases, from hypothyroidism, hyperbilirubinemia, DiGeorge syndrome, ataxia telangiectasia, to the mundane viral gastroenteritis, pneumonia, and constipation. Much more interesting, and more meaningful for me, have been learning about all the people with these health problems. Hearing what they like to do, their take on the latest Harry Potter movie, and what fears they have about their illness. I absolutely love doctoring, helping patients and families to understand the healthcare process, understand their illness, and understand what role they can play in their health. I am in my element!
That's not to say I haven't hit my own challenges. Even though I've been studying diligently for the last two years, clinical diagnosis and management is another beast. I know I'm a rookie, so I take it in stride, confident that I will continue to learn so much in the years to come. The challenges of providing good care in a chaotic healthcare "system" is what most frustrates and upsets me. "System" is absolutely the wrong term to describe how people in the US get healthcare, and everyday I see more problems and try to think of more potential solutions. The good thing is, that I have been so utterly impressed with the majority of my colleages and other health professionals I've had the opportunity to work alongside. The people aren't the problem! Unfortunately, well intentioned, good people in a convoluted health system can still deliver poor quality care, which I absolutely cannot tolerate. We have so much work to do!
Pediatrics is so much fun, I LOVE winning over the shy 3 year old, or teaching the 9 year old about their asthma, or being an ear for the frustrated 15 year old whose parents just won't understand. It can be crazy at time, and sometimes the crying is just too much, or its just plain mean to have to examen the ears of a 2 year old, but even the challenges are rewarding when you're finally able to overcome them by looking for Minnie Mouse in the 2 year old's ear canal!
When patients declare you their new best friend, or moms ask if you can be their child's permanent doctor, or when you get a grateful look from dad because you found a fun way to look in a kid's nose that doesn't totally freak them out, it just makes my day. At its core, medicine is about helping people, and sometimes that means grabbing some juice for the new mom who fainted, or remembering to let the kiddo pick out their favorite sticker before leaving the clinic, or congratulating the new parents on their beautiful baby. I get to do things like this for the rest of my life! I've already had my challenges, and the whole 5am wake up is not really my cup of tea, but ultimately, I know that this is exactly what I want to do, for the rest of my life. I have the coolest job in the world.
I haven't even gotten to my inpatient experience, but this is already a long post. Helping deliver and resuscitate babies in the NICU has been amazing. I'm 6/6 in catching newborns! The intensity of the NICU at times is overwhelming, dealing with life and death is not something that is easy, but learning the skills to truly save lives is so inspiring to me. I can't wait for the day when I have developed these skills to a point where I truly can make a difference. In the meantime, catching babies is just fine with me. :)
That's not to say I haven't hit my own challenges. Even though I've been studying diligently for the last two years, clinical diagnosis and management is another beast. I know I'm a rookie, so I take it in stride, confident that I will continue to learn so much in the years to come. The challenges of providing good care in a chaotic healthcare "system" is what most frustrates and upsets me. "System" is absolutely the wrong term to describe how people in the US get healthcare, and everyday I see more problems and try to think of more potential solutions. The good thing is, that I have been so utterly impressed with the majority of my colleages and other health professionals I've had the opportunity to work alongside. The people aren't the problem! Unfortunately, well intentioned, good people in a convoluted health system can still deliver poor quality care, which I absolutely cannot tolerate. We have so much work to do!
Pediatrics is so much fun, I LOVE winning over the shy 3 year old, or teaching the 9 year old about their asthma, or being an ear for the frustrated 15 year old whose parents just won't understand. It can be crazy at time, and sometimes the crying is just too much, or its just plain mean to have to examen the ears of a 2 year old, but even the challenges are rewarding when you're finally able to overcome them by looking for Minnie Mouse in the 2 year old's ear canal!
When patients declare you their new best friend, or moms ask if you can be their child's permanent doctor, or when you get a grateful look from dad because you found a fun way to look in a kid's nose that doesn't totally freak them out, it just makes my day. At its core, medicine is about helping people, and sometimes that means grabbing some juice for the new mom who fainted, or remembering to let the kiddo pick out their favorite sticker before leaving the clinic, or congratulating the new parents on their beautiful baby. I get to do things like this for the rest of my life! I've already had my challenges, and the whole 5am wake up is not really my cup of tea, but ultimately, I know that this is exactly what I want to do, for the rest of my life. I have the coolest job in the world.
I haven't even gotten to my inpatient experience, but this is already a long post. Helping deliver and resuscitate babies in the NICU has been amazing. I'm 6/6 in catching newborns! The intensity of the NICU at times is overwhelming, dealing with life and death is not something that is easy, but learning the skills to truly save lives is so inspiring to me. I can't wait for the day when I have developed these skills to a point where I truly can make a difference. In the meantime, catching babies is just fine with me. :)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Telluride hike
Monday, June 13, 2011
Welcome to Telluride!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Mission Complete!
I took Step 1 yesterday. 8 hours of intensity! It doesn't feel real to be done, I still dreamt about questions last night, I won't know my score for at least a month. But it is done. DONE DONE DONE. I enjoyed my time studying, mostly because I had control over all of my time, no meetings, no classes, nothing to get in my way. I'm going to miss that type of freedom to design my day exactly how I like. Monday the rat race starts up again, until then, I'm going to enjoy free days I have!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Under a week to go!
The Final Push! I took a practice test at the test center yesterday, felt pretty good, now just tying up all the loose ends on my 7-weeks of studying. Keep your fingers crossed for me next Wednesday.
In more interesting news, I had a great time Friday night at the Kennedy Center, it was a beautiful evening and the National Symphony Orchestra was wonderful! Saturday was also fun, after a killer run along my favorite trail, we walked along The Mall and even went to the Museum of American History. They have a new exhibit where they feature a particular year in American history, I really enjoyed seeing what 1939 was all about!
And back to work for me!
In more interesting news, I had a great time Friday night at the Kennedy Center, it was a beautiful evening and the National Symphony Orchestra was wonderful! Saturday was also fun, after a killer run along my favorite trail, we walked along The Mall and even went to the Museum of American History. They have a new exhibit where they feature a particular year in American history, I really enjoyed seeing what 1939 was all about!
And back to work for me!
Monday, May 2, 2011
2000 Mark!
I finished the USMLE World Qbank on Friday afternoon. That's over 2000 questions under my belt! I was very pleased with my NBME practice exam score today-2 weeks to go to keep working on my weaknesses. Being methodical and holding myself accountable really feels good after a while. Let's hope the test gods agree come May 18th..
This weekend was gorgeous in DC, after a fun baseball game Friday night, I enjoyed a wonderful 9 mile run along the Crescent Trail Saturday morning. One of the benefits of having a schedule completely determined by me is that I choose to exercise a lot! I spent Saturday outside all day, with a few hours of lazy studying in the sunshine along the river in Georgetown. On Sunday we explored Eastern Market and walked around the National Mall. I know what you're thinking: "Aren't you supposed to be studying all the time? Isn't this like the most important test ever?!" I've had important tests in the past, and I'll have more in the future, but I'll never stop living my life as fully as I wish, no matter what "super important" thing is on my plate. If I don't enjoy each and every day now, when will I? Now back to learning!
"Believe you can and you're halfway there."
Theodore Roosevelt
This weekend was gorgeous in DC, after a fun baseball game Friday night, I enjoyed a wonderful 9 mile run along the Crescent Trail Saturday morning. One of the benefits of having a schedule completely determined by me is that I choose to exercise a lot! I spent Saturday outside all day, with a few hours of lazy studying in the sunshine along the river in Georgetown. On Sunday we explored Eastern Market and walked around the National Mall. I know what you're thinking: "Aren't you supposed to be studying all the time? Isn't this like the most important test ever?!" I've had important tests in the past, and I'll have more in the future, but I'll never stop living my life as fully as I wish, no matter what "super important" thing is on my plate. If I don't enjoy each and every day now, when will I? Now back to learning!
"Believe you can and you're halfway there."
Theodore Roosevelt
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
1000 mark!
I'm at my half way point. It's been almost 4 weeks of studying, and I have exactly 4 weeks until my exam. I'm doing well, and I've done over 1000 questions. I have 1000 questions more of the question bank, and then I'm going to do them all over again. I've hit a good groove with studying, I'm a little embarassed to say that I actually enjoy it. It's like running intervals, after you do it a few times, you know its good for you, so you learn to love it. I can tell that every hour of studying I put in, I'm going to be a more knowledgeable doctor for it. It's not even that I don't mind it, I like it! I can just tell how much I'm learning every day, connecting the dots, understanding therapies. A great feeling!
I'm also very impressed with my Stanford education thus far. Stanford really does focus on the important stuff, and then gives us the time and flexibility to memorize all the little details necessary to ace the USMLE Exam. I'm looking forward to starting clerkships in the end of June-I get to start with pediatrics! How fortunate!!
Back to questions for me. Chai tea latte anyone?
I'm also very impressed with my Stanford education thus far. Stanford really does focus on the important stuff, and then gives us the time and flexibility to memorize all the little details necessary to ace the USMLE Exam. I'm looking forward to starting clerkships in the end of June-I get to start with pediatrics! How fortunate!!
Back to questions for me. Chai tea latte anyone?
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