Individuals vs. Institutions

Take a look at the picture of our class above.  I never fully liked the pic because you couldn't make out our faces clearly.

Now read this column from the NYTimes. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/opinion/27brooks.html?em

Take a look at that picture again.  

It's a symbol for that article.  

1/5/2009 - 1/23/2009 ... uh oh

This past week was ridonkulous.  Four exams (Embryology, Physiology, Histology Practical, Histology Written).  To all future M1's... don't underestimate how much material is on these first set of exams.  

Plus, this was the same week as the historical inauguration of President Obama.  Location's were setup throughout campus for people to watch and the school provided snacks.  Some skipped class and witnessed it first hand, other's met up and watched it at Hunton.  

Rachel Poliquin : Sure, I like med school. But this week it whispered in my ear and told me, "Put a ring on it.

Trevan Rankin: President Obama's inauguration in conjunction with the celebration of Dr. King's fight for EQUALITY has DEFINITELY been the highlight to my stress-filled week!!!!!! :-)

Travis Wilson: Congradulations! History was made, But its scary that people/media are soo mesmorized by someone who proposes plans to turn a Great country into one that is subpar. Last week reality hit, and we are in for a wild ride.  

Politics and Religion on this blog...

There has been some concern that the blog may become too political.  Let me just say this to clear those concerns, I will not let that happen.  However, I also will not censure/ban all mention of politics and religion.  At the end of the day, the blog is a public space.  The rule of thumb to use is that if you can't stand up in front of everyone and say it in lecture, then it probably shouldn't be posted on the blog.  

In order to make sure people think before posting, I'm going to request that people don't make anonymous posts.  

So much of our future careers is intertwined with politics and religion.  If a current event happens (ie the case with Terry Schiavo, or the AMA creates a healthcare proposal for congress), I know that as future professionals, we are capable of expressing our thoughts with respect for others.  We know our education doesn't happen in a bubble from the outside world.  Our blog should reflect that.

Clips from Nate's Wedding!!

1 down, 7 to go

Raise your hand if you can not believe one semester is over. In that time we have taken 16 exams! I won't tell you how many multiple choice questions that is. We've finished biochem, pop med, genetics, anatomy, and the occasional FCM. Thankfully, there were moments last semester that made all the pain bearable.

Any given day, I would walk into anatomy lab, in the evening, dazed with how much I didn't know. Lab was just not enough time to learn it all. As good as the Sholley trolley was, I actually rode it infrequently. I'm not tall enough to casually lean over and see what Sholley is pointing at (:: shake fist at Michael Joyce ::).

I actually preferred hovering around Goudas myself. Although he spoke as fast as a hummingbird (he repeats everything 10 times, so it kind of evens out), he slowed down for the most important part, his famous quotes that made me think so much, it was hard to focus on the mundane stuff. Like the 12321 #%$ holes in the skull!

Krieg was a character too. Ever notice that Dr. Krieg constantly furrows his eyebrows? It's like every structure in the body is worthy of a shakespearan drama. "Ah, the anterior belly of the digastric" (dun dun dun, ::zoom in on the dramatic expression of his face::)

Anyway, there was a definite pattern to anatomy.
1. Walk into anatomy lab after hours with the hope of not leaving till you know it all.
2. Change into scrubs and wince as the initial hit of formaldehyde hits you.
3. Feel dirty cause you realize you touched things before you put gloves on.
4. Put gloves on and dive in.
5. Start to panic a little because there is SO MUCH to know.
6. Ask someone a question, next thing you know, you have a partner in the struggle.
7. Ask someone else the question. Not only do they tell you, sometimes they go out of their way to teach you even more.
8. Feel so thankful that they are so kind.
9. Feel devastated when they say they gotta go. But, you can do it on your own now.
10. Another dazed classmate walks in and they ask you a question.
11. Suddenly the student becomes the teacher.
12. Repeat