FOUR RECEIVE AWARD

Four students have been selected as recipients of the
Sarah Morrison research awards for January 2007. Research
awards are given through the School of Medicine’s student
research program.
The students, their research proposals, and mentors
include:
Sarah F MS 4, “Understanding the effect of the
neutrophil on Staphylococcus aureus beta lactam binding
sites through use of a neutrophil-like cell line HL-60,”
mentor: Betty Herndon;
Jessica G, MS 5, “Pleurodesis mechanisms: VEGF
and degree of toxicity among talc and doxycycline,”
mentor: Betty Herndon;
Hayley G, MS 4, “Multicolored Asian lady beetles
and their allergenic antigens,” mentor: Betty Herndon.
Sarah (that's me) MS 5, “Knowledge of reproductive
physiology and contraception in adolescent women,”
mentor: Patricia Kelly.
The award recipients are selected quarterly by a
committee chaired by Agostino Molteni, M.D., Ph.D.,
professor of pathology and director of student research.
“The quality of these four proposals was excellent,”
Dr. Molteni said. “Three of these proposals involve
basic research in the laboratory that offers an excellent
opportunity for translational research. The fourth proposal
is an extremely interesting project related to both medicine
and sociology.”


(Names have been changed)

New post

I have been getting some complaints that I have not updated. Sorry. I have been a little busy! :)

New news: Got Engaged!!! Haven't officially set a date or location, but it will happen soon.

On my last two weeks of pediatrics. In the newborn nursery currently. It is a lot of paperwork, but it is also fun hanging out with the new babies. I start surgery in March/April and doubt it is going to be a tenth as fun as pediatrics.

Still confused about what I want to be. I have moved my ER rotation up to May so that I might be able to decide. After that, I hope I will be able to make a more informed decision. Any ideas?? I am open for suggestions. :)
Here's some pros and cons:

Family Medicine: pros: lots of different patient populations(Adults, Kids, OB), some procedures, can deliver babies; cons: not thought of highly in the medical field, residency programs don't look too exciting, one of lowest paid specialties

Pediatrics: pros: kids are fun and cuter than adults, laid back environment; cons: parents aren't always so fun, the lowest paid specialty, ear infections, fever and cough x3 days on almost every kid

Internal Medicine: pros: adults can tell you where it hurts, adults are easy to talk to and value your input (even if they don't follow it), more demand with the aging baby boomers; cons: old people aren't as cute, the triad: diabetes, high blood pressure, bad cholesterol

ER: pros: shift work without call, good pay, some excitement, procedures; cons: no continuity, lots of chronic pain med seekers, more competitive for residency selection

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Copying off Danielle.....

40 questions about my 2006

1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before? Delivered a baby intrabdominally. Cool!

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I am not sure if I made one. Kinda sad. Will make one for this year though.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?My cousin had a baby boy in early 06.

4. Did anyone close to you die? Several close patients..

5. What countries did you visit? None. But, I did spend a considerable amount of time in the country---Marshall, MO.

6. What would you like to have in 2007 which you lacked in 2006? More time in which I do not have to worry about studying.

7. What date from 2006 will remain etched in your memory, and why? June 14th. Board's day.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Passing boards, along with moving into all clinic rotations.

9. What was your biggest failure? Not kicking board's butt.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? No, though I did have a nasty laryngitis in July.

11. What was the best thing you bought? iPod

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? I am not sure....

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Pres. Bush

14. Where did most of your money go? Here and there and everwhere, I am not sure, but it is all gone!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Finishing core rotations in April and having May as a mini break! Sad, but true!

16. What song will always remind you of 2006? "Rompe" by Daddy Yankee....it was the song I used to "pump" myself up for boards.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: Happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter? Richer or poorer? Happier, fatter and much more poorer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Exercise and TV watching :)

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Working

20. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve? I spent it with friends at a bar, Steak and Shake, and back at my place.

21. Did you fall in love in 2006? fall, no. Was already in love! :)

23. How many one-night stands? None.

24. What was your favorite TV program? Grey's Anatomy.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Nope, probably hated them last year too. Haha.

26. What was the best book you read? hmmm. Did I read any pleasure books!??! I think I read a Tess Gerritson book very early in 06 that was quite good. But, read lots and lots of Kaplan books.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery? iTunes

28. What did you want and get? Many things. I am lucky to have great friends and family.

29. What did you want and not get? Enough money to pay off my loans and never have to work....maybe 07 is my year.

30. What was your favorite film of this year? Probably "Borat," dumb, but man it is funny.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old did you turn? Out with a couple friends. 23.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Finish boards.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? Try to find something that is both cute in the hospital and outside.

34. What kept you sane? My friends, but also my TV shows that I looked forward too.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Heidi Klum.

36. What political issue stirred you the most? Stem Cell Research--same as Danielle, different stir though

37. Whom did you miss? My out-of-town relatives.

38. Who was the best new person you met? Lots of my classmates that I knew a little, that I work with on rotations and have become close with.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006: Recently learned from a psych patient. Life is like stepping into a hot bath. At first it is may be too hot to your extremity, but if you get passed that, the rest of the bath feels great.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: That one will require some more thought!!

Psych

First off Happy Holidays to everyone! I enjoy this time of year in all the craziness that it brings. It is a great time to remember the important things in life---family and friends.

I am on my psychiatry rotation--nicknamed Pysch--right now. As far a med school rotation, this one is notorious for being an easy month. Not much hands on action, but lots of sitting in a small room hearing what crazy things one's mind can think up. I also hear what terrible childhoods and lives these patients have had and it makes you think twice before declaring you are having a bad day yourself. While I have enjoyed the short month, I do not believe it is for me. Hour interviews and 1/2 way diagnosis is not my style.

My next rotation is Pediatrics---nicknamed Peds---Dad to Sarah, "Why do you guys have a shortened version of everything!". I will be on the inpatient service first on the gastrointestinal team (GI). I am quite excited about it. While I hear this is the hardest service with the longest hours, I think it will be good to see if I really enjoy peds and would consider it for my career. Also, of all the subspecialities, GI always interested me. In February, I have Peds clinic for the first two weeks and newborn nursery for the last two weeks.

Hope all is well with everyone. Maybe I will make my New Year's Resolution to update more often. :)

Hello--Are there any more readers out there??

Just DoRoing....

Have had lots of stories to tell, but I keep forgeting to post them.
Some highlights of the past two months:

Taken care of too many lung cancer patients and sent them home to die

Become a more compassionate future doc--our second attending taught me how

Seen a patient drinking from his urinal when I entered in the morning

Taught another student about football--four years in the learning from Keith

Skipped out 1-2 hours early by cleaverly walking past our doctor's office

Watched a lady with cancer ask the attending if she was going to die and then check out AMA and die 4 days later

Tried to study only to discuss with another student the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon

Had a discussion with my patient about why he was not married to his long-term girlfriend

Been called, "Sunshine" by a patient and told if he had to stay for Thanksgiving at least he would get to see me.

Came up with many diagnosis that actually ended up being the diagnosis

Looked to for details in an attending-to-attending meeting

Followed up with a patient I had taken care for a month in the hospital and saw his great success

Explained hospice care to sick patients

Learned from my attending when he was talking to a patient that Mick Jagger was so drunk at his St. Louis concert in the late 70s that he offered a free concert.

Learned about SLE, Hep C, extreme hypothyroidism from teaching rounds.

Learned how crappy our system is.

Been thankful for the environment I grew up in--some people are screwed from the beginning.

Caught my patient smoking outside and bringing her McDonald's back to her room.

Explained to my patient how important it is to be nice to the nurses and they will be nice to you.

Become more confused about what the heck I want to be when I grow up.

Had dinner and drinks with the residents.

And much, much more.

Chairman's Nov. 28th. Wish me luck!
Next on my plate Psychiatry!

SCARY--never thought I would see this on my scheduling page!

2002-2003	Med1	08/15/2004 12:00:00 AM	Closed
Enter 2003-2004	Med2	02/20/2004 08:30:00 PM	View Only
Enter 2004-2005	Med3	06/01/2004 12:00:00 AM	View Only
Enter 2005-2006	Med4	02/06/2005 07:30:00 PM	View Only
Enter 2006-2007	Med5Oct2	01/30/2006 04:00:00 PM	View Only
Enter 2007-2008	Med6	11/10/2006 08:30:00 PM	Open

GOP leaders on Foley: 'obscene breach of trust'

This headline makes me laugh because when I think Foley, all I think about is the catheter. :)

My first National Board of Medical Examiner's (NBME) subject exam is tomorrow for my OB/Gyn rotation.

Here's an example (from their website) of the kind of questions they ask.

1. A 27-year-old nulligravid woman has had severe
dysmenorrhea that has caused her to miss at least
2 days of work during each menstrual cycle for the past
year. She has occasional pain during sexual intercourse.
She weighs 50 kg (110 lb) and is 160 cm (63 in) tall.
Pelvic examination shows a normal-appearing vulva
and vagina. The cervix is pink with minimal
endocervical gland eversion. The uterus is normal in
size. The left ovary is 2 x 3 cm; the right ovary is 4 x 6
cm. Which of the following is the most likely cause of
her condition?
(A) Chronic appendicitis
(B) Endometriosis
(C) Pelvic congestion syndrome
(D) Polycystic ovarian disease
(E) Premenstrual syndrome

2. A 27-year-old nulligravid woman and her husband have
been unable to conceive for 12 months. She has never
used contraception. Menses occur at 28-day intervals,
and her last menstrual period was 2 weeks ago. She had
a single episode of pelvic inflammatory disease 4 years
ago and was treated with oral antibiotics. Vaginal
examination shows no abnormalities. Cervical cultures
are normal. Which of the following is the most
appropriate next step in diagnosis?
(A) Reevaluation in 6 months
(B) Ultrasonography of the abdomen
(C) Sperm penetration assay
(D) Hysterosalpingography
(E) Endometrial biopsy

3. A 30-year-old woman, gravida 2, para 1, comes for her
first prenatal visit at 26 weeks' gestation. Uterine size
is greater than expected for dates. Ultrasonography
shows fetal hydrops. Which of the following is the
most appropriate next step in diagnosis?
(A) Maternal HIV antibody test
(B) Maternal Rh status with antibody
screening
(C) Cervical and urine cultures for group
B streptococcus
(D) MRI of the fetus
(E) Amniocentesis for measurement of
α-fetoprotein level

Just thought you might be curious how they test us med students. Wish me luck tomorrow.