I am now consumed with interview prep!
My first interview is in a week and a half, and the second is three weeks after that.
What have I done, and what am I doing? Other than, you know, everything I've worked hard on in the past 8 years...
Went shopping with mom for interview clothes a week ago. Needed an outfit that was professional, conservative, appropriate, and that made me feel comfortable and confident. Found the dream outfit at banana republic, and got a surprise 25% off student discount that weekend. Magical!
Booked two mock interviews with my schools career services center. They film the interview and critique after. Done one so far, found it very helpful.
Arranged a mock interview with the father of a first aid teammate. He's a doctor, and has done prep interviews for other team members in the past.
Making list after list of things I've done, my strengths and weaknesses, reasons I want to go into medicine, and even the books I've read in the last year, the papers of written in four years, etc etc etc! Anything that would serve as good examples of the qualities and interests I claim to have!
Emailing my mom daily (yes she's a huge influence and help and support in this process, and my life!) with thoughts about interview questions and things
Keeping up with the news, including news in health and medicine, but other current events as well! - I always try to keep up with news, but am making a very conscious effort to now!
Reviewing philosophy of medicine notes and discussing ethics with my philosophy-major roommate, in prep for ethics questions. I feel confident in addressing ethical questions, but it is important to have a vocabulary to communicate it.
Reading one of those Success in Med Interviews books - a friend lent it to me. This is the point where I feel it's gone just a little too far, and gets slightly silly. But it's been an enjoyable read anyway
Researching everything about the schools and their cities!
And finally:
Thinking about interviews, day and night. Obsessive? Yeah a little. Aren't we all though?
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Health and Well-Being and the Hospice Organization
Volunteering in a hospice in Africa last spring (see my other blog!) taught me a lot about the value of total health care and hospice care, that there's a lot more to health and wellness than traditional medicine. Also, I know, the burden of care on the family and especially primary caregiver. This is a major consideration in the family-based hospice model, which is often overlooked otherwise.
So over the past few months I've started volunteering with Acclaim Health, a Hospice organization, as a friendly visitor. All I do is spend time with an elderly woman who is living an increasingly limited and isolated life. She recently needed to move into a retirement home, and though she understands that it was necessary, it has been difficult for her. And for whatever reason, the move to care facilities often results (I'm speaking anecdotally!) in depression, and a general decline in health.
This woman is an incredible lady, and you can just tell she used to be incredibly active and accomplished many things in her younger days. It is certainly hard for her to have nothing to do but wander the quiet halls all day. Her memory and activity levels have already begun declining.
Her daughter's visits were the only thing she looked forward to, but it was an enormous commitment for the daughter to feel obligated to visit 7 days a week, with her own family and life to deal with as well.
My visits bring activity and companionship and variety to this lovely woman's life, and allows her daughter to visit 6 days a week instead of 7. My visits are more enjoyable than I ever would've expected, and the experience is incredibly rewarding.
Furthermore, I occasionally have met with my volunteer coordinator to discuss the client's condition, and different strategies and activities for my visits, and ways to accommodate and slow her memory loss. It feels wonderful to be part of a care team (the facility staff, myself, the hospice coordinator, and the daughter) that has such an impact on this woman's overall well-being, though our care is entirely non-medical.
I feel strongly about hospice organizations, because I feel this is the care and consideration that all people should receive when in need.
So over the past few months I've started volunteering with Acclaim Health, a Hospice organization, as a friendly visitor. All I do is spend time with an elderly woman who is living an increasingly limited and isolated life. She recently needed to move into a retirement home, and though she understands that it was necessary, it has been difficult for her. And for whatever reason, the move to care facilities often results (I'm speaking anecdotally!) in depression, and a general decline in health.
This woman is an incredible lady, and you can just tell she used to be incredibly active and accomplished many things in her younger days. It is certainly hard for her to have nothing to do but wander the quiet halls all day. Her memory and activity levels have already begun declining.
Her daughter's visits were the only thing she looked forward to, but it was an enormous commitment for the daughter to feel obligated to visit 7 days a week, with her own family and life to deal with as well.
My visits bring activity and companionship and variety to this lovely woman's life, and allows her daughter to visit 6 days a week instead of 7. My visits are more enjoyable than I ever would've expected, and the experience is incredibly rewarding.
Furthermore, I occasionally have met with my volunteer coordinator to discuss the client's condition, and different strategies and activities for my visits, and ways to accommodate and slow her memory loss. It feels wonderful to be part of a care team (the facility staff, myself, the hospice coordinator, and the daughter) that has such an impact on this woman's overall well-being, though our care is entirely non-medical.
I feel strongly about hospice organizations, because I feel this is the care and consideration that all people should receive when in need.
Kirkland Lake
Spent my reading week in Kirkland lake with my roommates. One of them is from Kirkland lake so we stayed with his lovely family for the week. It was a wonderful relaxing week!!
This was the first time I've really been to Northern Ontario, and instead of the frozen misery a lot of Southern Ontarians would imagine (shameful but true..), I really enjoyed the small town and the winteriness (yup, made up that word. KL deserves a made-up adjective!). All you need is warm boots and mittens and a hat and it's really not so bad..
It was also a special experience for me because my grandmother and great uncle actually grew up in Kirkland lake.
Also of interest, I spoke to my roommates mother at length about the problems they have getting and keeping enough doctors there. She said one of the biggest problems if maternal and perinatal care...women "have to drive 45 minutes to have their babies" because they don't have the facilities or professionals for it there (obviously the doctors in the hospital are capable of delivering babies, they just don't have the specialized care that would be more ideal)
Her, and others, told me, in a very friendly and only a little forceful way, that I needed to return there to work after finishing med school.
It really impressed upon me the sense of responsibility and civic duty that accompanies being a doctor, and I know that I personally will probably have to make tough decisions about practicing where I would rather live, versus where we are most needed.
This was the first time I've really been to Northern Ontario, and instead of the frozen misery a lot of Southern Ontarians would imagine (shameful but true..), I really enjoyed the small town and the winteriness (yup, made up that word. KL deserves a made-up adjective!). All you need is warm boots and mittens and a hat and it's really not so bad..
It was also a special experience for me because my grandmother and great uncle actually grew up in Kirkland lake.
Also of interest, I spoke to my roommates mother at length about the problems they have getting and keeping enough doctors there. She said one of the biggest problems if maternal and perinatal care...women "have to drive 45 minutes to have their babies" because they don't have the facilities or professionals for it there (obviously the doctors in the hospital are capable of delivering babies, they just don't have the specialized care that would be more ideal)
Her, and others, told me, in a very friendly and only a little forceful way, that I needed to return there to work after finishing med school.
It really impressed upon me the sense of responsibility and civic duty that accompanies being a doctor, and I know that I personally will probably have to make tough decisions about practicing where I would rather live, versus where we are most needed.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Western
...western western western western western............
I got invited for an interview at Western.
I shouldn`t be surprised because if you meet their cutoffs an interview is guaranteed.
But I`m enthralled and ecstatic and maybe a little bit surprised nonetheless.
So happy and so excited!
This means I have two interviews to look forward to!
I got invited for an interview at Western.
I shouldn`t be surprised because if you meet their cutoffs an interview is guaranteed.
But I`m enthralled and ecstatic and maybe a little bit surprised nonetheless.
So happy and so excited!
This means I have two interviews to look forward to!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
A reminder
After 2 rejections of 3 schools I've heard back from, just for an interview (Yes, I got one interview, and I couldn't be more thrilled!!) I finally started thinking maybe I should be realistic like other people, and think about the other things I could do in life, other than be a doctor.
But then, I'm working on a Cancer Biology paper on a Sunday afternoon (enjoying it a lot actually, toying with the idea of an MSc of some sort), and I get a call - I'm on call with my campus first aid team. On a Sunday afternoon, we don't really expect to get calls. And as a supervisor I don't have to attend to a minor call.
But this wasnt a minor call, it was a semi-serious one. So I RAN.
It was a patient who legitimately needed our help, and we helped him. My team did a phenomenal job with and without my help, and I couldn't be more proud. My team, and the paramedics and firefighters gave the patient an excellent standard of care. It was a great learning experience, all the rush of taking care of someone in need, great leadership, and just a great feeling. Today I got to be part of a well-oiled machine...a small part of which, I even helped to build.
And he was a child. I could treat children. I could do it. Everyone says they want to go into pediatrics, but I think I really could.
I got back to the library to try and get something written in this paper on clonal evolution theory of tumorigenesis....oh right, schoolwork...and can't help thinking, I'm going to be a doctor.
But then, I'm working on a Cancer Biology paper on a Sunday afternoon (enjoying it a lot actually, toying with the idea of an MSc of some sort), and I get a call - I'm on call with my campus first aid team. On a Sunday afternoon, we don't really expect to get calls. And as a supervisor I don't have to attend to a minor call.
But this wasnt a minor call, it was a semi-serious one. So I RAN.
It was a patient who legitimately needed our help, and we helped him. My team did a phenomenal job with and without my help, and I couldn't be more proud. My team, and the paramedics and firefighters gave the patient an excellent standard of care. It was a great learning experience, all the rush of taking care of someone in need, great leadership, and just a great feeling. Today I got to be part of a well-oiled machine...a small part of which, I even helped to build.
And he was a child. I could treat children. I could do it. Everyone says they want to go into pediatrics, but I think I really could.
I got back to the library to try and get something written in this paper on clonal evolution theory of tumorigenesis....oh right, schoolwork...and can't help thinking, I'm going to be a doctor.
About me
(not really much about me)
This is a thing I've thought about for a long time.
I don't know who would read it, but I certainly want to write it.
I've wanted to be a doctor since I was 12, or maybe younger. Over the years my motivations and interests have changed, but this goal has stayed exactly the same.
It's definitely an uphill battle, and I'm less than halfway there -- as one of several thousand hoping to get interviews to the Ontario med school this year. Wish me luck!
This is a thing I've thought about for a long time.
I don't know who would read it, but I certainly want to write it.
I've wanted to be a doctor since I was 12, or maybe younger. Over the years my motivations and interests have changed, but this goal has stayed exactly the same.
It's definitely an uphill battle, and I'm less than halfway there -- as one of several thousand hoping to get interviews to the Ontario med school this year. Wish me luck!
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