Home

October 5, 2017

It’s Fall Ya’ll

It’s official… fall is among us!

Yes, I’m a total basic, fall-lover. Gimmie those pumpkin spice candles, pumpkin EVERYTHING treats, orange accents in the home, and graphic tees that proclaim how much I love fall! I have no shame!

I am an early decorator around the home. I LOVE themes and if there is a holiday to decorate for, I am so in! There’s something about coming home to a cozy, holiday-related decor that makes me feel like an accomplished adult!

My mom has always sent me cute Halloween decor, so it’s no surprise that even since my first dorm room, I would always gravitate towards the seasonal decorations to spruce up my space a little bit! It just seems necessary to me.

Happy Fall Ya’ll

I wanted to share my home this fall and Halloween season, with you, because it makes me ultra happy and maybe you can snag some of these deals for your space before the season is over!

There are a couple of things that are a MUST for me in my home.

An attractive centerpiece that draws the eyes towards a favorite piece of furniture
An inviting treat that your guests can enjoy

Both the witch hat and glass skull are from Home Goods. I like how the witch hat centerpiece highlights my absolute favorite piece of furniture, my dining room table from West Elm found here.

I know not all of you out there drink wine, or have a bar in your home. I am an avid wine drinker and I love to highlight my bar as another favorite piece of furniture. It’s especially fun when you find themed drinks, napkins, or alcohol, that supports your vision! A fresh set of flowers is also a must for me, especially when they have the gorgeous fall blooms with autumn colors.

_Q5B9526copy — Bar from Living Spaces, Lamp from Living Spaces, Marble vase from ModShop

My goal for a perfectly decorated home, is to have pops of color, that relate to the holiday or theme you are trying to incorporate. But not too much! I try and avoid clutter by choosing a few key pieces that really draw attention to the eye, instead of creating confusion.

It helps to have pieces spread throughout the home, so that each little corner your guests see, invites a new reaction. Since I mentioned the treats earlier… I try not to eat all of the treats I have out for guests, but it’s hard! Especially when Trader Joe’s starts selling the chocolate mousse pumpkins shown in the photo above. They are my weakness. I purchased the skull mason jar glasses from Home Goods, and they’ve been a hit so far! Similar found here.

I love my kitchen space so much, partly because I love a leisurely, home cooked meal during my time off. Since I love being in the kitchen, I have to sprinkle some decor there. Have you guys seen these little pumpkin plants that Trader Joe’s sells? I’ve had these in my home every year and they last throughout the season! Here’s your fair warning… they have thorns.

Bonus points for anything that doubles as an anatomy diagram.

Being from the Midwest, I am used to fall being the starting point of cooler weather. In California of course, the 80 degree weather typically continues. We do get those cooler nights with a beach breeze that allows me to use the amazing fuzzy blankets that I love so much! I picked this orange blanket up this year, from none other than Home Goods. It’s so warm and fuzzy, I could hibernate here forever. Add a cup of pumpkin flavored coffee and you have one basic B here!

This fall, my plan is to be snuggled up at home, with my man and the pup.

Some years I feel more adventurous than others, and get the itch to travel, but this year I am definitely in the mood to lay low. You can find me lost in my new velvet pillow cases , sippin’ on some Witches Brew, wearing my new favorite Nike sweats, with Hocus Pocus or a football game on in the background, and a fall scent in the air.

I want to hear about YOUR fall and Halloween plans! Comment below!

Photos by Abbi Cooley

Health

September 22, 2017

Will I ever find that special someone who understands my job?

As written by my special firefighter, Chris

Lights. Sirens. Chaos. Adrenaline. Emotional highs and lows….
Firefighters, Paramedics and all public safety professionals alike, work in a crazy world that keeps our anxiety levels at a high that sometimes takes a few days to come down from. Good, bad or indifferent, many think that a life of such intensity is a very fulfilling and appeasing lifestyle.

Perhaps, they’re right…. to an extent.
However, I like to believe that it’s in our inherent nature as human beings to deeply desire that special connection and comfort with someone else when we walk away from the madness of our chosen profession. It’s quick to realize that our world can be a very lonely place purely because it’s so tough to find that special someone who understands our schedule, our twisted sense of reality, our frustrations for humanity, our constant exhaustion and even our need for just a shoulder to lay our head on when you can’t process the most recent emotional toll.
Im not so sure that there’s a true formula for finding that one in a million special someone for us first responders, but I will say this….. they’re out there.

Who would’ve guessed that a 5 am traffic collision victim would’ve led me to my special someone at our nearest trauma center. Most assuredly when I wasn’t looking my best!

Perhaps Doctor Majestic saw right through my messy hair, sweaty shirt and smelly turnout pants. Lucky for me!!

Regardless…. know this fellow life savers.

We, as first responders, are so very fortunate. We get to be lucky enough to cross paths with a never ending string of new faces every time we put on the uniform. Whether that be because they need our help or because they’re working along side us to provide that help!

Keep that welcoming smile on your face and an open mind, because today could be the day!

Career

September 21, 2017

When did going to work become dangerous?

Not a shift goes by, where I don’t encounter an unhappy customer.

Don’t get me wrong; we are all entitled to our own opinions. Happiness and satisfaction are part of life, and something that I would say; most people strive for, on a daily basis. But when happiness and satisfaction become the most important focus on an experience with your doctor or nurse, what does that mean, really? What does that teach patients, and medical providers?

Here’s my take. And keep in mind this is my own opinion, in my own words, based on my own experiences.

It teaches patients to expect to leave satisfied, no matter what (which is largely subjective), and it teaches providers to do whatever it takes, to keep patients happy and satisfied. This includes but is not limited to, ordering unnecessary tests and treatment with medications that may not be necessary, or actually have the potential to cause harm to the patient, long term.

When I walk into the Emergency Department for a shift, my overall goal is to keep my patients safe. After being in training for 12 years, to do this job, I truly believe that I have the right to make the decisions I feel are most appropriate, for my patients. I have an oath to uphold that states I will do no harm. There are many occasions during which I have to stand my ground, and say “no”. That is why I spent so much time in training, to recognize when a test or treatment is necessary versus unnecessary.

It is not uncommon today that I am asked for specific services in the Emergency Department. I am used to this, and I will be the first to stand by a family member or friend’s side, and tell them to advocate for their own health, and ask questions. It is all too often however; that I am asked for things I am not willing to give. Things that I believe will hinder patient care or outcome, as opposed to improve their overall state of well-being. I do strive to educate my patients as much as I possibly can, which includes explaining my reasoning behind my decisions, but frequently, it is not well received.

I have been called “bitch”, “cunt”, “stupid”, and “too young to be a doctor”. I have been said to “not understand Americans” (whatever that means), “exercise too much power”. My medical license has been threatened more times than I can count. My name has been written down by numerous unhappy patients who have stated, “I am going to suit the shit out of you”, and “you’re going to be sorry you didn’t do your job, because I’m going to make sure you lose it”. I’ve had photos and videos taken of me, without consent as well as false statements made about events that occurred during patient encounters when no one else was in the room with me. These are only a few examples, but I am thankful to say a patient has never physically injured me. I can’t say the same for all of my colleagues.

It’s no surprise that there is a lot of stress and emotion associated with being in a medical office or hospital. Patients and their families may be experiencing significant levels of anxiety and irrational thoughts, especially if there is news of death or significant illness. Unfortunately, I have noticed that even with non-emergent or minor conditions such as viral illnesses, fractures, or bug bites for example, I have received a list of complaints for patients not receiving antibiotics, opiate pain medications, or other treatment to help speed up recovery of these conditions.

I am frequently the bearer of bad news in saying, “there is no treatment for a cold, aside from time”.

Cue the complaint due to dissatisfaction.

I mean don’t get me wrong, I am totally dissatisfied with having a viral illness too, but there’s nothing any of us can do to change the science behind it.

As I started doing some research on this topic, I found far too many cases during which physicians were killed by their patients. I almost had to stop reading, because it was freaking me out.

Some old statistics showed that 30% of ED physicians polled in a survey were victims of physical assault by a patient, and 12% of these had been outside of the Emergency Department when they were leaving their shift. I am confident these numbers are higher today.

For those of you considering a career in medicine, or maybe already in your training, this career is NOT for the faint of heart. My advice for you? Live your life to the fullest and try to maintain a positive attitude about your career choice, otherwise it will eat you alive and can easily consume your thought process. I wholeheartedly believe that these types of topics are not discussed, enough, and awareness needs to increase.

Don’t live paranoid, but be aware of your surroundings. Position yourself appropriately, at all times. Bring another healthcare provider into the room for any type of sensitive discussion or exam, and with ALL violent, emotional, agitated patients. Learn how to communicate in a non-confrontational, business-like manner (this takes time, especially when people are yelling at you and making you feel like a horrible person). Tell your staff where you are going, if traveling outside of your floor or station (we have trackers that we wear during our shifts). Ask for an escort to your car (everyone knows our hours include early mornings before sunrise and middle of the night). Consider self defense classes and/or items you can carry to help defend you in the event of an altercation.

I have already received so many messages from you guys via social media, and I am saddened to hear that many of you know physicians or nurses personally, that have been affected by patient violence. I just want to take a moment to thank all of you brave individuals who are diving into this career, head first. I also want to thank those practitioners out there that have been personally affected, and those family members who have lost loved ones in the medical field, secondary to patient violence.

Don’t live paranoid, but be aware and prepared.

I will be honest, I never really thought about my job being dangerous, outside of the fact that I see sick patients that require quick and important decision-making. But it has become apparent, as I fight for what I believe is right for my patients, and for me as a practitioner, that this job is far more high risk, than I ever imagined.

Comments welcomed! Share your stories and thoughts below!

Career

August 22, 2017

Writing your personal statement

I like to write, but writing a personal statement isn’t exactly my idea of fun.

It’s August, which means that many of you out there are starting to write your personal statements for residency or medical school applications. If you are struggling with where to start, don’t fret. Take your time, make a list of points you want to highlight, and tackle the personal statement little by little.

This is not something you should finish in one day. The personal statement takes time, reflection, and editing… lots of editing. You should think about having 2-4 editors, of different backgrounds.But remember that regardless of what your editors say, you should stay true to your heart and the points you want to convey.

At my residency graduation, one year ago, excerpts from our personal statements were read aloud by our department chair, and honestly it was hard to recognize which was mine.

I think that means… the personal statement won’t define you 😉

I mean, it will, for a minute, because those reading it don’t know you, but keep in mind there’s much more to the application, and YOU.

So anyways, get your popcorn out, prop your feet up, and enjoy reading my attempt at a personal statement, circa 2012.

I make sure my phone is on airplane mode every time I fly. This is none other than to have my medical applications ready in case I need to spring into action. Does reviewing my ACLS algorithm while I’m exercising or bored make me neurotic, a nerdy medical student, or both? Most of my rescue scenarios involve myself saying something completely dramatic like “1mg of Epi STAT”, or “get the paddles, is everyone clear”?

Despite this habit, it surprisingly took me three years of medical school to realize that I loved and was a perfect match for Emergency Medicine. Even without the drama of an immediate emergency like those I have conjured in my head, the emergency room is a place that I see opportunity. Opportunity for variety and for a chance to be the very first clinician to speak with a patient, give a diagnosis, counsel a family, or provide hope.

My ability to multitask fits well in the ER, as on a normal basis I divide time between school, dance, volleyball, cooking, yoga, ultrasound, and being a dog owner. I have never been good at choosing one hobby or interest, but am thrilled by attempting to participate and succeed at many. Throughout these activities I have learned how to excel in teamwork and strive to be the member that others are thankful to depend on and work with.

If a disaster struck, I would be a valuable team member to have on hand. My time spent thinking through emergency scenarios makes me prepared for the undifferentiated patient, while my experience with multitasking makes me physically and mentally capable of handling multiple problems simultaneously. I frequently reflect on one of my first days in the ER, early in medical school. I volunteered to help with a young patient who was involved in a severe trauma. As I ventilated and consoled the patient, the nurse offered to take over; but I couldn’t pull myself away. I felt fearless, and all I could focus on was helping in any way I could contribute. Today, I approach every patient with a confident, fearless yet humble attitude knowing that it can truly affect each patient’s respect and level of trust in myself as a physician.

Establishing rapport with a patient quickly is important in the ED and I am able to do this through empathy for the patient’s situation and reassurance. This was evidenced to me through a recent interaction with a patient and his wife who was in for a minor complaint. In the 15 minutes I had with the patient, I could not offer them anything other than pain control. However as I said goodbye the patient stated I would make a great doctor simply for being kind and focused from my first steps into the room until my final steps out.

A positive relationship with the staff involved in patient care is very important to me. I love working with physician assistants, nurses, and EMS and I will strive to give them the opportunity to provide ideas and opinions. During EMS rides as a medical student I was able to receive teaching on the pre-hospital process and provide teaching on clinical decision making in a symbiotic fashion. My interest for the future involves teaching in a pre-hospital or academic setting. I look forward to sharing the education that I have received with patients and other healthcare workers, both with a similar goal of improving acute patient care.

Diagnosis of the undifferentiated patient in Emergency Medicine is an art that I am excited to master. My consistent preparation combined with resilience and drive will allow me to provide meticulous, competent care in an acute setting as an Emergency Medicine physician.

Cue the applause

Nothing ground breaking right? This baby took me over a month to write!

So for those of you out there, struggling through your personal statements, just write from the heart, be truthful to yourself, and remember that the personal statement isn’t the only part of your application!

Take these basic steps when starting your personal statement:

Don’t force it (that is super obvious)
Do bits and pieces at a time, as they come to you
Don’t feel pressure to write from start to finish, piecemeal together thoughts as they come
Ask your family and friends what they feel you should highlight, what are the qualities that you possess, that are important to get across to someone who doesn’t know you
Start early (so you can follow all of the above steps and not feel pressure or rushed)!

Hopefully you all feel a little bit better after reading my fairly basic personal statement, that took me months to write! 🙂 You’re not alone. Keep pushing on and before you know it, you’ll never have to write a personal statement again!

Lifestyle

August 2, 2017

Michigan Love

You all can probably tell that I love California, but Michigan will forever be my home sweet home.

I was thrilled to have the time and opportunity to head home for a little summer getaway this past month. Even better, is that I was able to take Chris with me. He had never been to Michigan, but I knew he would appreciate the greenery and laid-back atmosphere. Well, I was right! Cue the extended length blog post… I hope you enjoy!

Luggage from Calpak (similar here) and Delsey found here

We started in my hometown, where my best friend from high school was getting married. It was pretty amazing to see all my ladies from back in the day. We had a fun evening of food, drinks, and dancing, all with a woodsy, Michigan scenery in the background.

Dress from Slate and Willow (Rent the Runway)

Chris and I quickly noticed that the sun doesn’t set until 9pm during the Michigan summer (something I had forgotten), so we took full advantage of the long days. This was an important trip, as Chris was meeting my extended family and friends for the first time. Talk about pressure! I think he quickly realized we are a pretty chill bunch, and our time was spent eating my Dad’s fresh caught fish, touring the Air Force base where my Dad used to work, working out in my town’s tiny, old, local gyms (they surely aren’t Equinox with a beach view), experiencing a traditional summer power outage, and hanging along the dock downtown taking in the sailboats.

My home town is famous for ONE night, and one night only… Boat Night. This night marks the celebration before the start of the Port Huron to Mackinac Island annual sailboat race. It was the night I always tried to come home from college, to meet up with my girlfriends and enjoy a night of carnival rides, fried food, and dancing in the beer tent at the Port Huron Yacht Club. We were able to make an appearance this year, to show Chris the ropes, but the best part is that we traveled up to Mackinac Island as the boat race was concluding.

We weren’t thrilled about the long drive to Mackinac Island (about 4 hours), but I knew it would be worth every minute in the car. Chris agreed, as soon as he felt the relaxed vibe on the island. If you aren’t familiar with Michigan, imagine a left-handed mitten. Mackinac Island is off the middle portion of top of the mitten. The island is something really special. There are no cars on the island, and the primary mode of transportation is bicycle, walking, or horse carriages. It didn’t take long for me to find the carriage specific to our hotel. We hopped on for a gorgeous ride through town, and were ultimately amazed when we experienced the welcome to our digs for the next few days, at the Grand Hotel.

Some of you might recognize this hotel from the movie, Somewhere in Time, with Christopher Reeves. The hotel has a classy, old school, yet playful vibe that reminded me of the East Coast. The hotel is quite the attraction for all that visit Mackinac Island. So much of an attraction that, if you’re not a guest at the hotel, you have to pay a small fee to set feet on the grounds. The hotel itself is very historic, and many of its guest rooms reflect the lives of US Presidents, First Ladies, and other prominent historical events. The hotel has a daily schedule that includes three amazing meals, afternoon tea, and activities for children. After 630pm, the guests are dressed to their finest, as men are required to wear coats and ties and women dresses or slacks.

Dress from Elison Rd boutique, brand Cotton Candy LA, similar found here

pantsuit — Pantsuit from No Rest for Bridget, brand Honeybelle, similar here and here; Scarf from Cuyana found here

My favorite part of this hotel, was the after-dinner dancing to the sweet sounds of a jazz band. Fun fact about me- I used to play the saxophone… for 8 years! Ironically, Chris played too, so we certainly share a love for music, in particular jazz. We ended every night in the ballroom dancing, and promising each other that the next time we stay at the Grand Hotel, we will be able to ballroom dance like the rest of the guests out there!

Dress from No Rest for Bridget, Brand Hyfve, found here and here

On our last night in Mackinac Island, we decided to venture outside of the Grand Hotel, for dinner at The Woods. We were enthralled in the concept of a restaurant housed in a mansion with Bavarian charm, especially because it required a carriage ride (wait for it…) deep into the woods. We enjoyed dishes from soft pretzels with homemade cheese and mustard, to filet mignon and lobster bisque soup. We left SO full, and with plans to go back someday.

The fancy vibe to the Grand Hotel is something I can totally appreciate, but I also love the more casual side of Mackinac Island. If any of you have traveled to the island, you know that it is famous for the delicious fudge shops that line the main street in town. The choices are endless, and in each shop you can sample whatever your little heart desires! Some of our personal fudge favorites were maple walnut, butter pecan, and german chocolate!!

Walking or biking around town, you can really see the beauty and friendliness of the island, where there are only 450 permanent residents. The little family shops and tourist attractions bring something authentic to a vacation experience. Although we wanted to bike around the perimeter of the island (only 8 miles), we unfortunately had a day of rain that kept us from doing so. Lucky for us, there are some pretty happenin’ bars with a relaxed, island vibe, my personal favorite being The Pink Pony. Outside of eating and drinking (which let’s be honest, can pass the time just fine), there are plenty of fun and educational attractions such as Fort Mackinac, The Butterfly House, and Arch Rock.

I had SUCH a fabulous time during this trip to my home state. I don’t think I ever truly appreciated Michigan, when I was growing up. The last time I was even in my hometown, was 5 years ago. This trip meant so much to me; reuniting with all of my high school besties, introducing my family to Chris, and showing him the true beauty that is Pure Michigan 😉

Career

June 21, 2017

The dreaded MCAT

Cue the dark music here. Does anyone actually enjoy studying for the MCAT?

Let me start by saying that this blog post is not meant to discuss the actual test content or scoring, especially because I took the test TEN years ago. Yes my friends, the test was still on paper when I took it for the first time. I am indeed showing my age.

I am here to tell you about MY experience with the MCAT, and it was not pretty.

Viewer discretion advised…

I took the MCAT for the first time during my junior year of college. I was always serious about medical school, but my history of studying for standardized tests (the ACT) was a little disorganized. During my first attempt at the MCAT, I used a couple of resource books and studied on my own. That did not go over well. Unfortunately, I did not do well enough to use that score for medical school applications.

I was lucky enough to have time to fit in a second attempt at the MCAT prior to application season. The second time around, I took a Kaplan MCAT course that included in-person classes a few times weekly, for a few weeks. Gearing up to take the MCAT for a second time, I felt much more prepared. Unfortunately… my score did not reflect the confidence I had felt going into that test day. I was left again with a score that was possible good enough for some schools, but unlikely competitive enough for the schools I really wanted to attend.

I had to make a decision- apply to attend medical school directly after undergrad, or wait a year and find something to do with my time. The young, carefree student in me said “what the heck, I’ll just go for it”, and I sent out those MD applications left and right, racking up a large amount of fees by applying to many schools so I could increase my chances as much as possible.

The vision of my younger self, trudging out to the mailbox to open yet another rejection letter, is pretty vivid in my mind. I did have a few interviews and acceptance to a school that I wasn’t super excited about. I quickly realized that I had another decision to make. I really wanted to go straight through undergraduate and medical school, to minimize my time to graduation, but something didn’t seem right within my gut. In the midst of the application process, I was invited to interview for a post-baccalaureate program at Ohio State. This program, if completed successfully, would allow immediate matriculation into medical school at Ohio State without an additional interview or application.

I was very blessed to have been accepted into this program, but guess what? They required another attempt at the MCAT!

I took the MCAT one last time, after another review course, this time the Princeton Review.

I’m going to be honest here. I made the marks to matriculate into medical school, but I didn’t do much better on that third MCAT attempt.

So yes, you do in fact have a successful Emergency Medicine physician here, telling you that I never did stellar on the MCAT! I can also tell you, that my day-to-day practice does not involve concepts from the MCAT (I know some of you are doing a happy dance right now). The test IS important, in order to gain admission into medical school. But after that… you can move on with your life and forget it!

Look, I can’t speak for everyone here, but the MCAT did not predict my success as a medical student OR a physician. Many people will tell you it does. I think what people mean to say, is that proper study skills and concept application MAY predict your success, as a graduate student and physician, but a specific test, will not.

And just like that… my MCAT review books went into the garbage along with the previous night’s pizza.

Sorry for the blurry photo. My 22-year-old self didn’t know I would be blogging about this, 10 years later!

My biggest take home message from this post, is that you CAN find a way to conquer this test. It may not have been what you intended, or what you really want to do (who wants to sit through hours of review courses), but if you want it bad enough, you will find a way. Maintaining a positive, motivated attitude is half of the battle. So for those of you sitting at home crying over this test, listening to your peers that tell you this test is the only thing that matters… stop, breathe, and formulate a plan that will lead to your conquering this exam.

Career

June 21, 2017

Why Emergency Medicine?

The million-dollar question… why did I choose Emergency Medicine?

My interest in Emergency Medicine began as an undergraduate student at Arizona State University. Most of the volunteer opportunities were in the Emergency Department, so I received most of my early exposure then. The Emergency Medicine physicians that I have met throughout my pre-medical and medical school training were always enthusiastic, fun, and seemed to love their job. They made it tough for me to love another field of medicine.

That being said, I still planned to go into surgery all throughout medical school, up until it was time for me to apply for residency. I made a last minute career switch to Emergency Medicine when I realized I wasn’t excited about my lifestyle as a surgeon. Once I allowed that change to happen mentally, I was SO excited and happy for my future.

The role of an Emergency Medicine physician involves seeing each patient that checks into the Emergency Department, deciding what tests are necessary to rule out life threatening diagnoses, attempting to provide them with a diagnosis, and then a disposition- to admit them to the hospital or send them home. Of course that’s the black and white answer. There is a whole lot of grey… but we’ll discuss that elsewhere. Some Emergency Departments accept trauma patients (severe motor vehicle collisions, gunshot wounds, stabbings, severe falls, etc), and this depends on location and physician staffing. In these departments, the role of the ED physician may vary and range from a large amount of participation in management of the trauma patient to none. Of course, these patients can walk in the door of any emergency department, however the EMS system in each county tries to keep that from happening.

I noticed that when I started meeting more people in Emergency Medicine, and spending time in the department in medical school, I really felt like I fit in with the staff. This was extremely important to me, as I knew the days would be long and hard in residency. I hoped to find a career where my work colleagues were like family and I could lean on them during the stressful times. Emergency Medicine has never disappointed in that sense. I spend a lot of time laughing at work. Counter intuitive right? Considering I see many critically ill patients, you would think the laughter part would be lacking. The dynamic between my colleagues and myself is one for which I am so thankful. We tend to display a rather dry humor that reminds us we are lucky to be alive, and provides us energy to care for our patients.

Emergency Medicine provides a variety of patients- some sick and some healthy, some very alive and some dying. The field leaves nothing to the imagination. I see things you couldn’t even make up in your head; this is both entertaining and educational. I have the honor of seeing people at their most vulnerable and terrified moments, where I can delicately care for their psyche and emotions with my knowledge base and diagnostic skills. There are pediatric, middle-aged, and elderly patients, in large amounts! The ED is a bustling, fast-paced, busy environment that allows me to see up to 30 patients during one shift. Some days I am dead tired, and some days I am full of energy and motivation.

The best thing about Emergency Medicine by far- there is never a dull moment and I am never bored, due to its variety and my amazing colleagues.

Medical School

May 16, 2017

What is a post-baccalaureate program?

For those of you that don’t know, I did a post-baccalaureate (post-bacc) program between my senior year of college, and medical school. A post-bacc premedical program is a post-degree program that typically consists of one to two years of science classes, and sometimes MCAT preparation, with a goal of preparing a student to matriculate into medical school. There are many of these programs throughout the country, however they all vary greatly. Each student looking into these programs should be aware of the financial cost, requirements, and terms of admission or any future admission into medical school.

There are a variety of reasons to apply for a post-bacc program.

One reason is to complete required science courses that were not completed in undergraduate college. Some students of course make a decision to enter medicine later in undergraduate school, and miss some of the opportunities to complete specific courses.

A second reason for choosing a post-bacc program is to improve a student’s GPA. We all know how important GPA is, for being accepted into medical school. There are so many things that can impact a student’s GPA throughout college- personal life challenges, a job or attempt to balance other things while attending school, difficulty with test taking, or simply challenges with one particular course or instructor. Most premedical students are well aware that one bad semester or course can affect a medical school application, and overall GPA or science GPA.

A third reason (and my personal reason) for choosing this type of post-degree program is to increase chances of admission to a specific medical school.

I believe my particular experience is unique. My overall GPA and science GPA were solid. My MCAT scores… not so much, pretty average to say the least.

I applied to approximately 15-20 medical schools across the country. I had received limited offers and these were in a location where I wasn’t thrilled to be relocating. I was offered information about Ohio State’s premedical post-bacc program and it seemed like a program that would be a good fit.

The program was one year, and consisted of basic science courses as well as an MCAT prep course followed by a requirement to retake the MCAT. There was a GPA and MCAT score requirement, and if both were met successfully, matriculation into The Ohio State University College of Medicine was inevitable.

No additional application. No additional interview. No strings attached.

When I attended my interview for the post-bacc program, it served as my medical school interview, and I could not have felt better about my decision to take the extra year and shoot for being a medical student at Ohio State, my dream medical school.

I was lucky enough to receive a scholarship that paid for this year of courses and preparation.

Keep in mind; this is not typical for most post-bacc programs throughout the country.

Government financial aid however can always be sought out, for those in need.

Why I think a post-bacc program is a good idea for some students (aside from the obvious mentioned above):

It gives you a chance to take your time and really excel in the classes that will help you get into medical school.
It can consist of a lighter course load, so you have time to focus on the study techniques you will need to perfect before starting medical school. Even if the course load is not lighter, it will be pre-medicine specific which most students enjoy more.
This is a perfect time to really prep for the MCAT, and take a course (Kaplan or Princeton) if need be.
This year is a great time to shadow and gain more experience in the various medical fields out there! For me personally, my post-bacc was at the same location as my medical schooling would be, so I spent a lot of time really getting to know the faculty and physicians. This proved to be very beneficial later in my training!

I hear many concerns from students about this being additional time that comes between them, and being a doctor. Rest assured, you will not look back as a practicing physician and regret this decision to take some extra time when needed. I promise you, that this one extra year did not ruin my life or impede my training or success in any way.

Please note again that all post-bacc programs are different and you should thoroughly do your research prior to making a decision to apply or attend. But I encourage you all to explore this option when exploring your options for medical training.

Lifestyle

May 15, 2017

MY MINI BIRTHDAY GETAWAY

If you’re like me, you love birthdays.

I don’t just enjoy my own birthday; I enjoy ALL birthdays!

I feel birthdays are like holidays. They bring friends and family together, there is always good food (and hopefully cake), and it’s a day to reflect on the positive things in life.

After 31 years, I feel like I have finally found a good life balance, and my true happiness.

This year, it wasn’t about what I was doing or whom I was hanging out with. It didn’t matter how many people came to my party or if there were gifts. I felt different. I woke up this year on my birthday, and felt content with where I was, in the moment. I have lived a lot of birthdays excited about the events, people coming, drinks or food to be had, etc. I don’t think I ever really took the time to focus on myself, and being present in the moment.

This birthday, I felt a sense of calm and gratefulness. The past year has been not only hectic, but included A LOT of life changes, emotionally, physically, and mentally. I didn’t really realize how much of a toll it had taken on me, until it hit really hard. By the time May rolled around however, I was starting to feel better, and just in time for my birthday things finally settled down.

I woke up to see a girl with a few more grey hairs (hey I do work in a stressful environment after all), and maybe a couple of wrinkles that weren’t there before, but with a smile on her face, a loving man by her side, and a super cute Frenchie who was eager to cuddle.

Life is good, my friends.

Really, really good.

And I realized that finally listening to my gut was worth the wait.

I digress…

This year, for my 31^st birthday, I had a small get together at home with delicious Mexican food and a fabulous surprise cake designed by my love. I am all about small gatherings with the select people that are most important to me. However, as you know I love balance, I am also a big fan of getting out and doing something different than the usual. For me, that meant a weekend in Los Angeles.

Cake by Rebecca’s Cakes (found on Instagram as @rebeccas_cakes)

My favorite pineapple cups can be found here — My favorite pineapple barware can be found here

The trip to LA is quick, yet it still feels like a mini vacation. A few friends and myself stayed at one of my favorite locations, the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. I have stayed here a few times, and the vibe is super trendy while being the ultimate luxury experience. We thought it would be fun to rent a cabana by the rooftop pool, which features a DJ and excellent service.

Duffel from Sole Society, pool bag from Seafolly similar here

sls-hotel-at-beverly-hills-los-angeles-california-102910-1 — Photo cred

Because I am constantly stressed and working to my max limits in my career, I really enjoy down time with a side of luxury. Altitude rooftop pool was the perfect place to find my zen. And after a day spent in the sun, we headed back to the room where I found what was quite possibly my favorite birthday surprise yet! My very own SLS hotel robe personalized with Dr. Majestic!! If any of you reading this have stayed at the SLS… you know what I mean when I say their robes are LITERALLY the most comfortable articles of clothing I have ever worn, in my life. I kid you not. So now, I have my very own robe to throw on whenever I want!

Since my second favorite thing to do for my birthday, is eat delicious food, we made it a point to try the infamous Bazaar by José Andrés. If you are a fan of tapas, or just delicious food and drinks in general, you HAVE to try this restaurant. The options are endless, the ingredients are decadent, and the service is impeccable. Plus, the décor and experience is super cool. The vibe is funky, with mismatching furniture, a display case of bazaar things, and food being served on random platters and even a shoe (no, not a real shoe thankfully)!

After the dinner experience, if you opt in for dessert, you are moved to a separate area of the restaurant where you can choose from a smorgasbord of sweet treats. My dessert-loving boyfriend was in heaven, as the chocolates, cookies, and cupcakes that we ordered did not disappoint!

We left feeling 20 lbs heavier, but it was worth every calorie and every penny!

On our second night, my sweet BF planned a dinner out, at a firehouse turned restaurant called Engine Co 28, in downtown LA. If you have never experienced a firefighter’s cooking skills, this restaurant can make it happen! They offer a wide array of gourmet, comfort-food-type dishes with flair. Plus… there’s a fire pole. What more could you ask for?

We ended the night at an awesome whiskey bar called Seven Grand, also in DTLA. This place has an old school vibe, with a jukebox that played only oldies. The drinks were super fresh, and worth a try if you’re on that side of town!

All in all, this was quite possibly one of my favorite birthdays to celebrate. 31 isn’t really a special number, but the closure of my 30th year and the start to my 31st symbolized a major growth period for me, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Thanks to all of you who made my birthday so special and for all of the sweet sweet messages!

Lifestyle

May 7, 2017

Boston

This May marked my second trip to Boston, MA. My first visit was for an Emergency Medicine conference, so I didn’t have much down time. This trip was vacation-related so I was able to enjoy the city AND happened to be traveling with someone who knows Boston very well 😉

I try to travel light and comfortable, but the East Coast weather always gets me! I opted for multiple pieces of luggage, to ensure I could fit all of my wardrobe options, and enough room for workout clothes!

Fleece from FIGS and carry on from Sole Society

I was really excited to stay at The Lennox Hotel, which was built in 1900, and once stood as the tallest building in Boston. The hotel hosted guests such as Judy Garland and Enrico Caruso and sits less than a block from the finish line of the Boston Marathon. The lobby was quaint and comfortable; perfect for a little social media catch-up. I also spent some time in the hotel bars, The City Bar and Sólás, where I had the best pretzels and cheese I have EVER eaten in my life.

Pub stops included Champions, Dillon’s, McGrevy’s, Whiskey’s, Bay Bay Social Club, and Joe’s American Tavern where I also happened to find the best nachos I have had in a long time! Let’s just say… I put aside any food restrictions I typically practice, and ate my weight in bar food and seafood.

My second day in town started out with a run through the city into Boston Common also known as the central public park in downtown. Interestingly enough, this is the oldest city park in the United States and is enveloped by beautiful tulips that were just starting to bloom. I had to snap a shot with the crew in front of the famous statue, Make Way for Ducklings, in the Boston Public Garden. The statue represents a children’s picture book from 1941, written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey. The ducks reportedly never require polishing, because of the number of children (or adults in my case) that sit on the ducks.

We had to make a stop at the infamous Cheers bar, “where everybody knows your name”. And trekked over to the North end for some delicious Regina’s pizza, followed by treats from Mike’s Cannolis. For those of you that don’t know, I am a HUGE pizza fan. In fact, it is by far my favorite food that I could probably eat anytime, anyplace. Regina’s did NOT disappoint. I felt like a local here, where the staff is sassy but friendly, and ready to serve up a large pizza in less than 15 minutes.

Mike’s Cannolis were the perfect sweet treat to wash down the pizza!

A Boston trip wouldn’t have been complete without a Red Sox game! We headed over to Fenway Park in some new Boston gear from 47 Brand and unfortunately watched Boston lose to the Orioles. The experience did not disappoint however, because I left with a full belly of Fenway franks. I never eat hot dogs, but I will not pass them up at a ball game!

We happened to be celebrating a graduation from Northeastern, so we splurged on dinner Friday night at Abe and Louie’s. I was officially in heaven. I got the lobster I had been waiting for, with scallops on top, paired with lobster mac n’ cheese, clam chowder soup, and asparagus.

We rounded out the trip with a loaded breakfast bagel at Quincy Market and a trip to Seaport where we did the Harpoon Brewery tour, had a cocktail at the Legal Harborside rooftop bar, and saw the site of the Boston Tea Party.

Boston was an awesome trip filled with good food, drinks, and sight seeing. Now that I got a little taste of the city, it has me itching to go back again next year!

Career

May 6, 2017

I have to take how many boards exams?

If there is one thing that’s guaranteed with getting into medical school, it’s that you are signing up for many years of test taking. It’s no surprise that with becoming a physician comes board-certifying exams… quite a few of them.

Picture this, you just did well on the MCAT, you made it to medical school! Now you can finally start your professional career in medicine. Oh but wait, we just need you to also pass (and do well) on just a few more exams…

I’m going to discuss the MD path here, since that’s what I’m most familiar with.

STEP 1 USMLE

Let’s start with Step 1 of the Unites States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). This is the first step of the licensing exam in the US. It is a single day test, and is typically taken between your 2^nd and 3^rd years of medical school. The focus is heavy on basic science knowledge applied to medical concepts that is learned throughout the first two years of medical school. Myself, and many of my colleagues, found this test to be the most difficult because it required a ton of memorization. This test included many of the basic and cellular level physiology, microbiology, and pathology concepts. I would describe this test as the most daunting, because of the sheer volume and intricacy of the concepts included on the exam. I studied for this exam with many resources- the First Aid Step 1 book is a typical favorite, but I also used the Goljan pathophysiology book, Goljan podcast lectures, microbiology flash cards, and USMLE World question bank. I had highlighters in every color, wrote and rewrote concepts over and over, until I was blue in the face.

In hindsight, I think I had way too many resources in front of me and it made my studying more difficult. I studied my ass off for this test, pushing 12 hours a day of actual studying and allowed minimal fun in my life. Truth be told, I did well, but my score did not match my time put in studying. I tried a different approach for the Step 2 exam, that I feel worked much better AND was much healthier.

STEP 2 USMLE

Just when you begin to celebrate that you passed Step 1, insert Step 2 here! Typically taken during the 4^th year of medical school, this test has TWO parts and focuses more on clinical application of your medical knowledge. The first part is written and encompasses clinical knowledge (CK). This is a single day, 9-hour test. The second part is interactive with patient encounters, called the clinical skills (CS) portion. This part of the test is only offered in certain cities throughout the US, and is formatted to include real (actor) patients with medical complaints in a “doctor office” setting.

I studied for a much shorter period of time this go around. I used minimal resources- First Aid Step 2 and USMLE World question bank. I also allowed myself to have a life, which included more sleep and more fun. I did significantly better on this exam and was much happier. The clinical skills portion didn’t require much preparation, as most US medical schools prep you for this portion with regular simulated patient encounters included in the curriculum. It’s important to get familiar with the format of the exam (as you’ll see is true with any boards exam), but other than that, most US medical students are already prepared for this exam.

STEP 3 USMLE

Wait… I have to go to residency AND take another board exam?

Yes my friends, you do have to take just one more USMLE exam, while balancing a busy resident work schedule, in order to get your medical license in the United States. This test, in my opinion, also requires significantly less preparation (you’re basically a pro test taker now), however the test is TWO days.

Why?? I agonized over the answer to this question while two days of my life were taken from me during this exam. It’s not worth wondering friends 😉 This exam tests several concepts that are required to provide general health care to a patient. This is much more tolerable than the first two USMLE exams because you are doing this on a daily basis in residency.

I took this exam somewhere near end of my first year in residency. I used a question bank with First Aid Step 3, here and there. The real challenge was sitting through 2 days of this test.

Pass these three exams, and congratulations! You have a license to practice medicine in the United States!! That’s it? Not quite…

Specialty specific boards exams

You may have a license to practice medicine in the US, but in order to hold a job; you will need to be board certified. What does that require, you ask? Nothing major, just another boards exam or two. 😉

Every field of medicine has different requirements. Some fields (like Emergency Medicine) require a written portion of the exam as well as an oral portion.

Emergency Medicine Boards

The field of emergency medicine requires passing of an exam with two portions: written and oral.

The first part of this test is taken in November after graduation from residency and includes a single day exam. It focuses specifically on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of the emergency department patient. The written exam must be passed prior to sitting for the oral exam.

The oral portion consists of a single day exam, offered in the spring and fall on multiple dates, located in Chicago, IL. There are seven Emergency Department patient scenarios, each presented by a different examiner face-to-face, with a focus on completing critical actions throughout the case. The entire encounter is simulated and the examiner acts as the patient/nurse/consultant, while the candidate navigates the case, makes a diagnosis, and completes treatment with disposition of the patient.

After passing your specialty specific boards, you can officially call yourself a board-certified physician (in your specialty) AND get to relax for 10 years before your next board recertification exam!!!

Career

April 12, 2017

How to choose a major

I bet all of you starting fresh in college are wondering, “What should I major in”?

The simple answer… whatever you want!!

This is a common question I receive on social media. I was very concerned about my major, when I started college. After contemplating a major in dance, French, and psychology, I finally decided on a major in biology.

I mean… can we say boring? No offense to all you biology-lovers out there! I love science, too! But if I could do things over, I would’ve chosen one of the alternatives I listed above. College is your last chance to learn about things from a broad and general perspective, before you choose a career that could last a lifetime! Also keep in mind that you don’t have to declare a major right away. I felt a bit of pressure when I showed up to register on day 1, but there is no need to feel pressure. Take a breath, take some time, and enjoy the process.

I knew I wanted to go into medicine long before undergraduate school; so choosing the “pre-med” track wasn’t the question. “Pre-med” is not technically a major. I ended up choosing biology because it required many of the science classes that were also required to apply to medical school. I figured it was killing two birds with one stone.

Although most medical schools require the same pre-requisite classes, you should check each school’s website to be sure there aren’t additional requirements.

The major required science classes for applying to medical school include:

2 semesters of biology
2 semesters of general chemistry
2 semesters of organic chemistry
2 semesters of physics
2 semesters of English
1 semester of calculus

When choosing a major, think about what you would love to learn more about, but also a focus where you can excel. You don’t have to feel pressure to choose something science-related, just because you may want to go to medical school. Many schools actually appreciate a well-rounded, different applicant, who maybe majored in something totally outside of the science realm. You DO need to perform well, in whatever you may be studying.

Overall, my advice is to choose something that you will enjoy. It’s quite possible that if you enjoy your major, you will perform at a higher level and have more success!

Get To Know Me

Join the List

Join the List