(1) What was your favorite cartoon growing up? I have always been a cartoon junkie. My first cartoon obsession was Rugrats!

(2) What’s your favorite thing to cook? Fried rice. But currently, I’m really into making pulled pork.

(3) What did you want to be when you grew up as a child? At age 5: the Pink Power Ranger. Later on, comic book artist, food chemist, medical anthropologist, and then doctor. 

(4) What was the last thing you bought and instantly regretted purchasing? Extra bottles of travel-sized shampoo. Too many extra bottles=airport security hated me.

(5) Pick one. What’s your favorite (video game, TV show, movie, book etc.)? Movie: Ocean’s 11

(6) What was your favorite subject in grade school? Probably history because it felt like reading stories!

(7) What kind of restaurants do you like? Hole-in-the-walls. Places that are part of the community; where locals eat. It doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to be honest, real, and good. Food that is comfortable, but challenges your creativity, making you think “woah, what IS this and how do I recreate this at home?”

(8) How long have you known your oldest friend? Holy crap…18 years!

(9) Do you go to the movies alone? Not often, but I do!

(10) What was your first cell phone and how does it compare to your current one? Oh man, my old cell phone was a Sony Ericsson. It definitely had a phone charm (a lantern fish whose tummy was a screen-cleaning cloth) and it was covered with random stickers I found. Suffice to say my current phone is less sticker-heavy and the fish is gone.  

(11) What do you imagine your first house will be like? Small, very small, with old or used furniture, maybe furniture I’m using right now. Cozy. I’d like wood floors but carpet’s okay too. I’ll paint all the walls so there won’t be a white wall in the whole place. Books will probably be stacked on the floor because I won’t have time to buy enough bookshelves. And when I’m home, music will always be playing. I would also attempt an herb garden, which will probably end up being out-of-control basil and rosemary plants alongside dead mint and thyme. And it will always smell like spices because I love cooking with spices.

percythrillington asked: Do you think it is a good idea or bad idea to limit the number of hours a resident can be in the hospital each week?

Hi percythrillington!

Ohhh tough question! Obviously there are pros and cons. You need enough hours to learn the ropes and become a skilled doctor; but too many hours can lead to exhaustion, poor choices, and potentially harming a patient unintentionally. 

I think that the recent limits placed on hospitals are good for the physical and mental well-being of residents. However, we have got to find a way to give students enough hours to learn and feel connected/responsible for their patients as well as allow for post-call sanity and downtime. 

I am not currently in residency, so this is just my assessment from the outside and what I have heard, read, and discussed with others. Those currently in residency, what do you think? 

Thank you for the question!

Love,

md-admissions

My inbox is open all this week; so if you have questions, I’d love to read them! :)

Mostly, it’s exciting because I’m getting better at using tumblr! That, and some info on questions I answer and anonymity!

Much love,

md-admissions

annakolb asked: What do you think about Carribean Medical Schools? Is it worth the investment?

ohh, good question! Thank you, annakolb! :) 

Caribbean medical schools are worth the investment if: 1) you absolutely want to go into medicine but you are not getting into those US/Canadian/other med schools for one reason or another 2) you are from or want to practice in the Caribbeans in the future.

I think the education you get is great; most Caribbean schools these days send their students to the US to do third and/or fourth year rotations. My friends are certainly equally knowledgeable as any US, Canadian, or European med student I know! Medical competency is not an issue!

What can be tough (surprising to me, by the way!) is cost. The islands are focused on tourism, so day-to-day living expenses rack up quickly. On top of medical school tuition…that may not be desirable, especially if your budget is a big issue. Also, despite a more laid-back atmosphere, medical school is still medical school. One friend I have has only gone to the beach twice in the six months he has been at school, which actually demoralized considerably. Therefore, psychological toll should be considered, too. Also, while this has decreased considerably, there are still folks who look down on the Caribbean med schools. Obviously, just screw ‘em, but it’s easier said than done. If you know you want to pursue tough subspecialties or specialities like derm or radiology, please think about that angle, too. An unfriendly work environment can drag even the best doctor down.  Finally, a knowledge of Spanish is necessary. 

If you want to continue discussing in private, I’d be more than happy to do so too! Thank you and much love! :)