Next Stop....Family Medicine!!

Hey everyone! Happy New Year! I hope that everyone who is reading this had a great holiday season and have started 2016 off with a bang. I also want to thank everyone for the kind words of congratulations on passing my USMLE step one exam.

It has definitely been a whirlwind since taking the test! I just got back to Chicago about a week ago. I was thankful to spend some much needed time at home with my friends and family after spending so much time away. A lot has happened since my exam date so this is just an update post about what I’ve been doing and what I’m doing next!

Patrick and I celebrating New Years at his house in South Bend, IN

 The day after my exam, I went back to work at Bay Haven Nursing Home in Collingwood. I have worked there in the past and they were gracious enough to let me come back for the short time I was home. Unfortunately with being out of the country for so long, my RN license was not active so I worked in the role of a support worker. It was really a great experience and I am glad that I did it. It really took me back to my roots, where everything started for me. It was so nice to get back in there, get my hands dirty, and connect with people in a way that I missed so much. It showed me again how much the simple things in life really matter and how easy it can be to have a positive influence on someone’s day.

I also did some work at Georgian Downs in Innisfil - specifically at the racetrack. I was bartending and cooking there on weekends. I hadn’t done this kind of work since I graduated from the Practical Nursing program in 2009. It was actually a lot of fun and I met some very interesting people.

I had the opportunity to work with an amazing doctor in Midland as well. Dr. Anne Gannon was very receptive to my interest in shadowing her. She had me in for several sessions at her office. She allowed me to interact with patients and perform basic exams. I can not say enough great things about her! She is such a great mentor and role model for me. She is the epitome of the kind of physician I hope to be one day. She truly loves her job and cares about her patients. She remembers so many details about each person that comes into her office, takes the time to explain things about their health, and really allows and encourages them to take an active role in their overall wellbeing. I learned so much from her in a short period of time. Not only did I learn some superb examination skills, but she was a great example of the relationship I’d love to have with my patients one day. Simple things, such as providing her patients with a physical copy of their labs and diagnostic reports and going over them in detail allows people to take a proactive role in their own health. There were several occasions where patients brought in photographs of their family, or details of a recent vacation to share with her. She was just as enthusiastic about hearing what her patients had to share as they were to share it. I know her and I have developed a lasting relationship and I am so thankful for that.

My kooky family celebrating Christmas!

My time at home was certainly busy, but I loved being there and it helped with some of the disconnect and homesickness that I had been feeling. I am now back in Chicago and will be starting my Family Medicine rotation on Monday. I will be working with Dr. Okolo at Jackson Park Hospital. I don’t really know any details beyond that but I am sure I will find out much more on Monday. I am really excited about moving forward, and finally getting some hands on experience rather than sitting in classrooms all day long! That doesn’t mean the studying is done, I have already began preparing for the USMLE step 2 and I really hoping to take it without taking much (or any) time off from rotations. I will certainly post an update soon once I get going with Family Medicine!

Happy New Year again, and thanks for reading!

XOXO