by Sara | Oct 20, 2016
For now, my time at St Joe’s has ended. My inpatient rotation there ended about a week ago, and I am happy to have had the opportunity to work there. I was definitely nervous at first, because I was assigned to a Hem/Onc floor and I am notorious for crying (as in, I cry when I see someone else crying). Nevertheless, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed working with both my team and my patients.
While there was definitely a fair share of tears (what, you want everything?), they were healing tears and gave me a better perspective of what a physician’s role should encompass. Not just prescribing medications and radiation treatments, but also providing emotional and empathetic treatment. Despite my apprehensions, I am grateful for the three weeks at St Joe’s, because my patients there have left a lasting impact on me, both professionally and personally.
In addition, I still was able to attend the inaugural Exercise and Sport Science Institute (ESSI) Symposium and learn more about UM’s exciting new institute funded both by the Office of Research and the Athletic Department. From hearing about new advancements in designing a better football helmet to learning about inertial measurement units and their application in improving your golf swing, I had a blast!
Speaking of athletics, I also went to the unveiling of the new Nike basketball uniforms, with Jalen Rose and DJ Khaled, a few weeks ago. It’s crazy the amount of excitement Michigan Athletics is generating right now!
Sara is a fourth-year medical student at UMMS. When not in the hospital, she can usually be found on the golf course or at a Michigan sporting event cheering on the Wolverines.
by Sara | Sep 29, 2016
We have now finished half of our required clerkships for M3 year, and it feels a bit surreal. On one hand, it feels like we’ve been working in the hospital for so long that our studies before seem a distant memory. But the past rotations also seem to have passed so quickly that it’s hard to believe we’re halfway done.
For me, this may be partly due to having completed Family Medicine and Surgery last year with the previous four-week periods (starting with our year, periods are only three weeks long). So everything seems much shorter this time around.
I still feel like I have enough time to fully experience a specialty, despite the shortened time. We jump around from service to service, always switching just as we’re getting comfortable, but I suspect we would feel the same even if our rotations were not shortened.
Last week, to mark our halfway point, the first Intersession was held. In addition to lectures about useful topics (such as applying for residency – cue panic), we also participated in the Radrick Challenge Course. In addition to swinging on a rope to save dinosaur eggs (aka tennis balls), I had so much fun talking and laughing with my classmates.
This week marks my first on Internal Medicine. The rotation is split into three three-week blocks. I’m starting at St. Joe’s, and so far it’s been a great experience. Everyone on my team is great and really interested in helping me learn. And, the view from the 11th floor is spectacular!
Sara is a fourth-year medical student at UMMS. When not in the hospital, she can usually be found on the golf course or at a Michigan sporting event cheering on the Wolverines.
by Sara | Aug 14, 2016
As you might have gathered from the title, I’m currently in my Pediatrics rotation. Less than one week into the six-week rotation, I fell victim to the notorious Peds curse – catching a cold from one of the adorable kiddos that we take care of in the hospital. I suspected that I would fall victim to this curse at some point during the rotation, but I thought it might take a bit longer. Clearly, my immune system and I need to have a talk.
Chelsea and Real Madrid in a Champions League soccer match.
Thankfully, the cold was of short duration, and I’m back to my usual self. Just in time for the (unofficial) second Peds curse – falling in love with Peds. To be fair, I was already thinking Family Medicine, so enjoying Peds was not that much of a stretch. But I was not anticipating enjoying it this much. The hours are a bit longer than they were on Neuro, but it doesn’t bother me. For once, I can actually picture myself as a peds resident. It’s an amazing realization.
I’m still thinking Family Medicine, but Peds is becoming a close second. Only time will tell my eventual decision. Either way, I suspect that I will be spending a significant portion of time on service in a children’s hospital. (more…)
Sara is a fourth-year medical student at UMMS. When not in the hospital, she can usually be found on the golf course or at a Michigan sporting event cheering on the Wolverines.
by Sara | Jul 11, 2016
Yesterday was the annual Dean’s Cup golf outing generously sponsored by the medical school, and it was so much fun! The weather was beautiful, and the company even better! The scramble format and foursomes consisting of a faculty member and three students make the tournament accessible to golfers of all abilities, but the best part is definitely spending several hours in the company of your fellow students and faculty outside of the sometimes-hierarchical hospital setting.
Plus, it’s a time to break out these snazzy pants 🙂 When the faculty member I played with asked why I chose to wear them, I asked if I should instead wear them as an M3 on the wards. His response: laughter. I agreed completely…
After yesterday’s interlude away, I was back to the hospital today starting on the Neurology clerkship. Since all M3 clerkship lengths have been cut by 25% starting this year, Neuro lasts three weeks, and I rotate to a different service at the end of each week. For now, I’m on Inpatient Team B and, along with my two med student compatriots, will be working for the most part directly with an attending physician. Although it’s early, I suspect this week will be enjoyable and informative – the attending clearly enjoys teaching us and I now understand the myriad MRI scan types better than ever before. I am absolutely looking forward to what lies in store for me!
Sara is a fourth-year medical student at UMMS. When not in the hospital, she can usually be found on the golf course or at a Michigan sporting event cheering on the Wolverines.
by Sara | Apr 12, 2016
As medical students, it feels like we are always in training. After all, we don’t have our MD’s yet, and even then we still train during residency. At the moment, it seems like we always will be in training…that’s why it’s called the “practice of medicine,” right?
Lately, some of my fellow students have begun another type of training – for the Dexter-Ann Arbor 5k, 10k, and Half-Marathon that takes place in early June. In addition to being a beautifully scenic route, this race is quite popular at UMMS. (And it’s not just because the Office of Medical Student Education historically pays our entrance fees to promote fitness among students) and that popularity may even grow as a result of the new house system.
This year has marked the introduction of M-Home, where students and faculty alike are sorted into houses, now called Fitzbutler House, Salk House, Hamilton House, and Sanford House. Each house then hosts events to promote cross-class mingling and collegiality. For example, my house (Fitzbutler) has played Quidditch and even whirlyball in friendly rivalries against other houses.
Now, we are going to begin training for the Dexter-Ann Arbor run together. We started with a seminar about exercise physiology (some of the material was similar to that in coursework but with practical applications) and soon the training runs will start.
In my case, I will probably pass on this additional training this year. Why? Well, I completed my first half-marathon about a week ago (Ann Arbor Half-Marathon) and followed that up with the Trail to the Victors Big House 5k a few days ago. I might hold off from racing for a bit longer, but I definitely want to do another one in the future.
My mom did the half-marathon with me; my whole family did the Big House 5k.
Sara is a fourth-year medical student at UMMS. When not in the hospital, she can usually be found on the golf course or at a Michigan sporting event cheering on the Wolverines.
