Senior Status

The moving has begun, again! If it was not yet apparent, as a caribbean med student we do not have a 'home' hospital like the students that attend an american school in the US. Thus all our clerkship rotations are at school affiliated hospitals found throughout the states - mostly the east coast, the south and some central states such as Georgia, where I am currently residing for a month. The third year core clerkship rotations, those that are required by every medical school to be completed, can usually be done in one if not two places so the student can decide if and how much they would like to travel. I went between Florida and Maryland if you recall. Talking to other caribbean students this has been a common path.

The 4th year is completely different.

It is the year when you try and narrow down your interests if you have not picked a specialty already. These clerkships are called elective rotations and each individual is responsible to make up their own schedule based on their interests. For us, that usually means we move around to different hospitals depending on what they offer, their availability and scheduling... I will not get into the stress of making up that said schedule because that's besides the point. Yet, I will say that it is not an easy feat!

I will say that I finally have my 4th year scheduled!
Since my last post I have finished two one month electives, one in Michigan and one in Baltimore, MD. I am currently in Atlanta, GA doing a family medicine elective and will be heading off to New York for two months and then Louisiana for the last two months of my medical school clerkships. It seems I have so little left before I get to have that status as an MD. Looking back I can see how the process has shaped who I have become as a senior medical student. Last month I went back to Harbor hospital, where I completed the required 3 month Internal Medicine rotation last year. I worked with a Hospitalist doctor as a senior student. During my stay a new group students started their third year - including some friendly faces from Saba! I have to admit that I noticed a significant difference. By which I mean that there was a comfort level of navigating around the hospital, approaching patients, speaking up during rounds etc. For me, there was an evident difference in the level of knowledge between myself and the starting third years... Now! Let me explain myself before you jump to any conclusions. What I mean is this: I now realized how much information I have absorbed in the past year (and of course, there is a ton I still have yet to learn). It is really astounding to see the difference in which I approach certain problems, diagnoses and questions thrown at me. I find myself not overwhelmed like I first felt in third year. The knowledge seems to have become a second nature sort-of response. Anyways, ignoring my ramblings, what I mean to say is that I have surprised myself at how far I have come in just one year. The process is gruelling and pushes you to your limits but it really does work! I have no doubt those third year students will go through the same realization when they reach 4th year.

Where am I now?
Applications to residency programs are a month away! Yes, you read that correctly. One month. If you have been following my journey from the beginning, can you believe it's been 4 years?!
All the required board tests have been taken - and passed!! I am now finalizing the programs I am applying to, which has become a very time consuming task, albeit important. The personal statement is written; but it may be re-written over and over again in the next month. As a blogger and a person who enjoys writing, the personal statement has been something so difficult to be 100% pleased with because it forces me to summarize my passions, goals and direction in life in just one page. One page?! I am almost tempted to write one line: "Dear Program Director, please read my blog".

In any case, the end is in sight! Although it won't be smooth sailing until next March (when we find out to which program we matched) I can say I will try to make the most out of my travels and experiences.

Here are some pictures of Atlanta so far. Never did I expect it to be such an 'artsy' place!

Now time to go explore more of Atlanta.

sincerely,
IDL