OPP logs.... Thanks Rachelle and Chris!

One of the joys that we get to experience as future Osteopathic physicians is learning OPP (osteopathic manipulation). In order to become good at this you really have to practice on anyone and everyone. Now I know we may all complain about having to do logs and spend time forcing ourselves to practice these theories, but I find it relaxing and an added bonus because it usually means that my somatic dysfunction gets fixed in the process. Rachelle and Chris, you did a magnificent job on fixing my neck yesterday!!! I felt like I could do a marathon night of studying, although I chose not too:). I still find it amazing that we are able to identify and to some extent treat somatic dysfunction only two months into school.

Now if you could find a way to get rid of my "referred" headache from trying to understand and comprehend all the massive intricacies of public health law and ethics including research study formats for my MPH I would be eternally grateful. I have figured out why I never had the desire to become a lawyer!!! Talk about confusion:)

Musculoskeletal.....oh so many things to learn:)

I have never had the experience of working with cadavers before in anatomy class, in fact in college I learned anatomy on minks which I am not sure how that is a correlation, but that is my progression until now. If you have had a similar experience to me you will be amazed how much easier and interesting it is to learn on the cadavers. This module is filled with an extensive amount of bones, muscles, tendons, and innervations, but each week it is exciting to go to the lab and learn where they all are and what they do. I find myself studying and moving my arms and hands around to figure out what each muscle does, which could be very amusing or scary to someone if you are studying in a public place. I might look a little crazy, but it is so fascinating! There is always an amazement to what you can learn in a short time.

POM Module.....Complete:)

So I am really slow at updating things lately:)....of course life is crazy but good! I hadn't realized that my blog magically appeared on the school website, but I am excited and honored that it is there. If there are any aspiring DO's out there that are interested in SOMA please feel free to leave questions or comment's here. I promise I will answer in a more timely fashion than it appears.

We finished our first presentation based module this week, with exams concluding yesterday afternoon. It was a learning experience for all, but a positive experience in my mind. There were struggles along the way, as there is with any challenge and adventure. It was good to reach the end and feel a sense of accomplishment upon completing the class. We are all enjoying a break this weekend before beginning again with the next module. Personally, I am hanging at home with the dog and relaxing. However, I do need to play a little catch up with my MPH degree so I don't get myself into trouble:)

I am enjoying some good comedies and realizing Vegas can be big trouble, especially if you drink too much! Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!!! Work hard and play hard, isn't that what they all say:) I guess I was always told I could sleep when I am dead, although I am not sure I like the sound of that or how that would work logistically either!

Friday August 8, 2008

Today was really a glimpse into what things will be like for the next year. I really enjoyed the Med 500 class because it gave a great background and base for our learning and future purpose in the medical field, but today showed us what the blood and guts of the year will be like. I found things a little overwhelming in the beginning because I was still figuring out the organization in my own mind. I think I tried to multitask too much today in terms of trying to listen to everything and figure out in my mind how I wanted to study, schedule other activities and organize my life so that I don't get behind. I am ready for the challenge, but having been out of a classic educational setting for a few years now I know that I have to start out really organized to keep things flowing on a even basis in my mind and through my studies.

I am really excited to be here, so the enthusiasm will hopefully carry through to help with the studying and organization. I had a great time getting to "play" with my instruments this morning as well. It's crazy but there are so many things that make this more "real" in a sense, with the beginning lessons on the instruments being one of them. I have used most of the stuff before at one point in time or another, but others only in the capacity of the patient.

Tribal Health System and OPP

Today was a great day and a great learning experience! The group project and presentation this morning was a great experience and a very interesting learning experience. This project gave me a greater appreciation and understanding for what the CHC's had to go through in order to establish themselves in each community. Community health is never just about the health of everyone in the community, but about all the aspects that either make up the individual or community that can directly or indirectly affect their health. Today we found out what it was really like to work together as a unit and construct ideas and plans for a community health system that could truly function in a high needs area. I loved this project because it was interactive and really got us thinking about our roles as physicians in a community, we can't just stop at the office doors if we want to help make an impact. The practical experience and hands-on approach help us to realize that we can make a difference and it showed us how to work through the process. We may not have a perfect plan or system, but we all had great ideas to start from that if developed properly could have a positive effect on a community. It definitely helped to work on our problem solving and critical thinking skills.

The afternoon was also really great because of the introduction to OPP. I think for me and most other individuals in the class this was very exciting. We are all thrilled to be here, but having Dr. Kirsch give demonstrations and have other physicians there to show us some starting points to what we are going to learn over the next year was very exciting. It was fun to really get in there and just start to see what the theory is about and how things are approached. It is only a minute slice of what is too come, but I enjoyed every minute of it and can't wait to really get into things!

Grand Canyon Trip

I had a great time on the trip to Northern Arizona. There was so much to do, see, and learn on this trip that at times it was a little overwhelming. Getting the chance to interact and spend time with everyone in the class outside of the classroom was great! I finally got the chance to meet more people and really talk to some individuals that I hadn't got the chance to meet during the first week of class. I must admit I am still learning and trying to remember some names, but it was great to get a base of knowledge on a lot of people in our class. I was learning who they are and what their dreams and ambitions are, which is great.

Bonding time was excellent, but there were so many other things that made this trip incredible. Getting the opportunity to learn more about the CHC's, how they work and what they believe was a terrific experience. This gave us a preview and opportunity to see what the next few years at the CHC's will have in hold for us, plus it gave us the environment to ask questions and gain more knowledge on the movement and clinics. There is such a great passion in Flagstaff for the CHC and what they are doing for the community that it makes me even more excited to survive this year and move to SC. I can't wait to get out there and beginning working to make a difference.

It was also great for us to give back to the CHC through a community service project. I am sure there are adjustments and sacrifices that the CHC is making to accommodate our program and learning that it is nice to give something back to the community and CHC in appreciation of them taking a chance on us. It is always good to give back whenever possible and it was great for us to do it as a group. Hopefully there will be many more opportunities for that to come in the future.

Listing to Dr. Curtain discuss and explain the CHC movement and what it meant at conception was great to hear. I also loved hearing his stories from practice. There are lots of great examples and lessons in each of those stories that are invaluable for new medical students to hear and learn from. It was great to have so many physicians hanging out and spending time with us in this capacity because it made the program as a whole one that was even more approachable then I even thought it could be. The medical profession and schools have this persona that makes it appear that physicians are unapproachable from an education standpoint. I think this weekend proved how great this program is in those aspects because I feel that no matter the situation, questions on practice or academia, I can approach any professor and not feel a bit of fear that they won't have time for me or any of my classmates. That is a great feeling when you realize how much stress is already present in a medical program.

There was so much that happened this weekend that I feel like I am forgetting something.....


I had a great time exploring the Grand Canyon for the first time. It is an awesome sight to see and worth every minute of the trip to Northern Arizona. It is a wonder how nature conceives and develops these magnificent pieces of scenery!!!

August 3, 2008

As I read through the articles and readings for class I am shocked by some of the facts and statistics, things that I would not have imagined. So far the most shocking is the fact sheet by Kaiser that talks about health indicators by race/ethnicity and state. The data on Washington D.C. is not only amazing but really sad too. That is our nations capitol, where the politicians live day in and day out, yet it is one of the areas with the most problems, with % on that fact sheet in top or highest of all the ares of the US. How sad is it that our government keeps turning their back on public health programs and funding, when the problems are at their own back door? They see these things everyday, but yet don't realize the scope of problems in the US? That should be an eye-opener to many of them, but as they say "ignorance is bliss" to a number of people. I feel that some of the biggest problems with health care in government and a change in policy comes down to the fact that no one ones to take responsibility. It is a formidable task and would be a lot of work, but we need someone to go full force to make changes or nothing will ever happen. There is a lot more to making it work, of course, but taking the initiative is part of the challenge.

I have limited exposure to health care in the Native American population, but from a laboratory perspective I found that I could correlate what I have experience through what the physician discussed in his personal practice. It seemed that every time a Native American came in through the ER I received a sample for ETOH testing, no matter what part of the country I was working in. The sad truth is that of all those samples I received, I don't ever remember one of them being lower that that of a chronic alcoholic, levels at or above .3 were common. That is scary to think this is how they live their lives. They have sacrificed a lot as a community and seem to be losing more as the years go by, but we as a public health community need to help them work through these issues and find the positive aspects and programs in life that will turn these statistics around. Turning aggressions for the previous wrong doins of past generations is hard in any setting (i.e. with Native Americans or African Americans) but we have to make the efforts to change or the puble health issues will never go away and we run the risk of making them worse.

White Coat Ceremony - August 1, 2008

There have been many points in the last few months where I can't believe where my life has gone and where I am going. We all have those hopes and dreams for the things we would like to do and where we see ourselves in the future, becoming a doctor has been mine as long as I can remember. It has been a long road for me to get to this point, and obviously the journey is just beginning, but I can't even express how happy I am to be here. My brother has always said there is something in the works for you, you just have to be patient and everything happens for a reason. I must say he frustrates me a lot when he says that because it was much easier for him to get to the point he is at in life with school and work, but in the end I have to admit he was right. This school is a blessing in my eyes because it is a perfect fit for me.

My personality is one that cares for everyone, at times to a fault, but I would never change that. I have taken care of everyone I know at some point or another during my life and it is something I love to do with no regrets or obligation involved. This program is ideal for the character and skills development that I often wish a number of physicians would have in their daily practice. I have worked in the medical field only 5 years, but it is definitely long enough to see what does and does not work in the profession to improve quality of care and professional respect among all health care workers.

As sat down at the White Coat Ceremony today I was in a surreal moment still. In my mind I kept thinking I can't believe I am finally here, but in my heart it felt so comfortable and right. I still get nervous with the scope of the future I am about to embark on, but to be honest I am a lot more calm about it than I thought I could ever be. I took so many great things with me from the ceremony, from the speeches to the pure joy of being there and getting my white coat. Some of the quotes in a number of the speeches are things that will stick with me for years to come and help me to become the type of physician that I have always strived to be. Forgive me for forgetting who said what, with the excitement of the moments the correlation got lost. The two quotes that sunk in the most were, "it's not in the fabric of the coats that matters, but the fabric of the character" and "patients don't first care about the knowledge you have, but whether you know how to care." I am sure that the wording is not exact on either of those, but the points are very specific. Those are both key things to remember as physicians because if you don't care then often times there is a missing level of trust and respect from patients that is vital for treatment. I truly believe that who you are and the characteristics you exhibit are much more important than all the outward signs of your being.

All those things that took place today are the foundations of the school and one of the many reasons why this is what was planned for me in the beginning, I was often just too impatient to wait for it to come about. The levels of learning and the hands-on aspect of the program to the focus on public health and the true focus on patient care are some of the great attributes that make this program a great fit for me, I just relish in the fact that I found it and it found me.

July 31, 2008

It is the end of my first week at medical school, which has been a mix of emotions from the day I found out that I got into school in April. I have waited so long to get to this point, so needless to say I am overjoyed and happy to be here, but if I didn't say I was a little nervous I would be lying. I figure the nerves will help keep me focused and motivated.

There has been a variety of things happening this week, from meeting classmates to the beginnings of class work. We are all learning on different levels to adjust to school life again. For me, the adjustment is just back to school in general, which means physically having class in a classroom with classmates. I have been working on my MPH online for the past year, which has been an incredible experience, but it is definitely different than attending class again.

Orientation has been going on all week. Today was exciting and educational for me because it was a time for us to really share research and personal experiences on a number of topics. I learned so many things about cultural differences that I would not have gotten the chance to experience if it weren't for the incredible diversity of our class. We all tend to block out the bad in other countries or become ignorant to the struggles they go through because we become too invested in ourselves. I didn't realize the cultural issues and stigmas associated with HIV/AIDs in Africa. It is so hard for those of us in the US and health care field to believe that individuals can be so ignorant to real health concerns. Shirley talked about how individuals believe that if they take certain local drugs or follow certain acts that they are immune to the disease. Among so many other beliefs, it is easy to see how the disease is spreading and causing so many casualties.

Today was also very exciting for me because we got to start learning medical skills. It may seem like a simple thing, but getting to start working on the physical exam and professionalism behind our new profession was so exciting. I had a great time learning and applying the MMSE to one of my classmates to assess their cognitive status. In addition, picking up our white coats and getting our equipment made everything very real, in a very exciting and good way. I had a great time experimenting with my equipment on my dog and my parents. However, dogs are not the best patients when it comes to examining the ears or eyes:)

I am ready for the white coat ceremony and making things even more official then they already are today. The finality, in some sense, of the white coat ceremony really brings together everything from this week and helps us look towards our futures as physicians.

Wednesday 30, 20008

One of the reasons I was so excited about the program here at ATSU-SOMA was that it was very evident that competition was not instilled in the students. In fact, the staff and students made it very apparent on interview day that competition should be the last thing on our minds. Since day one of orientation the staff has made a concrete point that to succeed as medical students, competition is not the way to go. Teamwork and advancement as a group is more important than competing against each to get the best score on this test or that. Mr. Matthews had great points this morning that the only person you should be competing with is yourself. We all need to work hard to make ourselves better and push ourselves individually to be the best physician possible, that is the most important thing we can do as a student.

I also enjoyed listening to Dr. McWilliams talk about being in the profession and his experiences. The discussion on professionalism was great because I think that at times we forget that we are professional students. How we look and act can make a big difference on how we are perceived and trusted by our patients. As a student, no matter the age, we are in class all day and we tend to get crazy and want to have fun, but we need to remember there is a right time and place for everything. Your actions in front of and around your patients can affect the respect they have for you, same goes for classmates, faculty, and professors.





On a personal note, I realize how lucky I am everyday when I go home this week because I have a loving, wonderful family. My parent's have been staying with me this week until the White Coat Ceremony on Friday and putting my apartment together and taking care of my dog, which is definitely not their responsibility, but they love me and they love him so they do it, no questions asked. My parent's and brother have been the greatest support system in my pursuit towards getting medical degree. I have often thought over the last few years that I might not re-apply to school and just look towards my future in the lab, but they have always told me that if this is your dream, go for it. I am glad I have them to push me and in the same respect to be there for me when I need the extra support to make it through those tough days. They have been the outlet for the good and bad over the years and I am so glad they can be here to see the start of my future as a physician. In addition, I really don't think I would have survived the move with out them, I mean that figuratively and literally. That is a long trip from Nebraska and an even longer trip up three flights of stairs with a mattress in 115 degree weather:). I love each of them so much for all the support over the years!!!