Three weeks ago, I removed my crown for the last time for a while, and picked up a stethoscope in its place. While I have truly treasured serving in the position of a local "queen", I also look forward to one day soon serving as a "medical doctor".
For a small amount of background, medical school is four years. The first two years are spent (mostly) in a classroom, learning the science of medicine; the third and fourth year are spent doing clerkship rotations in hospitals and clinics, learning the art (ie the application/real-life) of medicine.
The first year can be spent in a number of regional locations, and, as a true small-town girl, in effort to avoid the big city of Seattle, I spent my first year in Spokane with only 19 other students (the UW serves as the only in-state medical school for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho, and as such, there are regional locations with 20 students at each of these as well). It was a fantastic way to be introduced into the medical field with a tremendous amount of 1-on-1 with incredible faculty. For the second year of medical school, however, all 220 students (20 from each of six regional sites, and 100 from Seattle) have no choice but to come to the big city of Seattle in order to study at the UW Medical Center.
Soooo.....three weeks ago, I begrudgingly kissed my puppy dog good-bye, packed my little car full, and headed to Seattle.
I arrived on a Monday (the day before orientation began) in order to
orient myself to campus, but my trepidations were only deepened as I
became lost (LITERALLY!) for 45 minutes in the health
sciences building. You may wonder
how any person can be lost in a building for so long? But let me tell
you, endless white, lifeless hallways with absurd orientation to one
another, and with numbering of lecture halls and offices beyond anyone's
understanding...does not lead to encouragement! At one point I found myself on "Floor 1" where I mistakenly walked into a metal shop
with active welding, and when I turned around, found myself face to face
with a loading dock!!
After getting myself straightened out (with the help of dental faculty), I returned home near tears, and prepared for three days of orientation to begin the next day. While an extensive "orientation", the three days consisted of team-building exercises (so that students from the various 1st year sites can get to know one another), listening to various deans, receiving required immunizations, touring the campus and surrounding neighborhoods, and learning of the storm ahead of us.
Admittedly, orientation was not so bad. It was long, but it turns out that I am far from the only one with anxiety surrounding second year, and it was great to meet so many incredible people that I am to share this year with!
And then....after a nice and friendly Labor Day weekend....the doors of all that is evil flew open for what is known as MS2: Medical School Year 2. (Cue evil music....)
Sooooo......okay, the above pictures are a tad bit biased :). But, I am sitting here reflecting on the fact that Moses Lake has one of the lowest higher education rates in the state, and suddenly I get it!! Moses Lake, or "Moses Hole" as many are known to call it, is a comfortable environment which does little to foster those reaching beyond; the nearest "city" of any kind is 1.5 hours away! As such, the bigger world can become a scary place...Particularly big cities with sirens, yelling at night, nothing but parallel parking (my personal weakness!), and a whole lot more strangers than friends (and strangers who, oddly enough, don't cheerily greet one another as they pass in the morning :) ). But if I stayed in Moses Lake, what is left for me there?
I have never in my life wanted something as badly as I want this "Medical Doctorate", and the life of serving others that comes with it. I choose to hold on to this quickly fulfilling dream, and with it forge into the wind of the next year in Seattle.
I am slowly learning the bus routes, my way around the endless white hallways, and to not wave and smile at every stranger I pass in the morning ;). Coffee with a few (non-medical school) friends has helped. And quite frankly, with the incredibly large work load suddenly on my lap between Urology, Pathology, Pharmacology, and random clinic/patient duties, I am finding myself with less and less time to worry about the fact that I am in a city!
And the parallel parking? That might just have to wait for another year :).
Stay tuned for (hopefully) more cheery updates as the year goes on :).
For a small amount of background, medical school is four years. The first two years are spent (mostly) in a classroom, learning the science of medicine; the third and fourth year are spent doing clerkship rotations in hospitals and clinics, learning the art (ie the application/real-life) of medicine.
The first year can be spent in a number of regional locations, and, as a true small-town girl, in effort to avoid the big city of Seattle, I spent my first year in Spokane with only 19 other students (the UW serves as the only in-state medical school for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho, and as such, there are regional locations with 20 students at each of these as well). It was a fantastic way to be introduced into the medical field with a tremendous amount of 1-on-1 with incredible faculty. For the second year of medical school, however, all 220 students (20 from each of six regional sites, and 100 from Seattle) have no choice but to come to the big city of Seattle in order to study at the UW Medical Center.
Soooo.....three weeks ago, I begrudgingly kissed my puppy dog good-bye, packed my little car full, and headed to Seattle.
 |
| The halls of the UW Health Sciences Center |
After getting myself straightened out (with the help of dental faculty), I returned home near tears, and prepared for three days of orientation to begin the next day. While an extensive "orientation", the three days consisted of team-building exercises (so that students from the various 1st year sites can get to know one another), listening to various deans, receiving required immunizations, touring the campus and surrounding neighborhoods, and learning of the storm ahead of us.
 |
| With Jessica, a second year medical student from Alaska, on our tour of "The Ave". |
And then....after a nice and friendly Labor Day weekend....the doors of all that is evil flew open for what is known as MS2: Medical School Year 2. (Cue evil music....)
 |
| Class with 20 in Spokane |
.JPG) |
| Class with 220 in Seattle |
Sooooo......okay, the above pictures are a tad bit biased :). But, I am sitting here reflecting on the fact that Moses Lake has one of the lowest higher education rates in the state, and suddenly I get it!! Moses Lake, or "Moses Hole" as many are known to call it, is a comfortable environment which does little to foster those reaching beyond; the nearest "city" of any kind is 1.5 hours away! As such, the bigger world can become a scary place...Particularly big cities with sirens, yelling at night, nothing but parallel parking (my personal weakness!), and a whole lot more strangers than friends (and strangers who, oddly enough, don't cheerily greet one another as they pass in the morning :) ). But if I stayed in Moses Lake, what is left for me there?
I have never in my life wanted something as badly as I want this "Medical Doctorate", and the life of serving others that comes with it. I choose to hold on to this quickly fulfilling dream, and with it forge into the wind of the next year in Seattle.
I am slowly learning the bus routes, my way around the endless white hallways, and to not wave and smile at every stranger I pass in the morning ;). Coffee with a few (non-medical school) friends has helped. And quite frankly, with the incredibly large work load suddenly on my lap between Urology, Pathology, Pharmacology, and random clinic/patient duties, I am finding myself with less and less time to worry about the fact that I am in a city!
And the parallel parking? That might just have to wait for another year :).
Stay tuned for (hopefully) more cheery updates as the year goes on :).
