End of 3rd Year and the Beginning of the End, 4th Year!
Picking up from our last installment so much has happened in what seems like such a short time. Well maybe it hasn’t been that short now. Haha Let we try and catch you up on what’s been going on!
January 2022
I began the new year finishing up my Internal medicine rotation. I finished up my inpatient time and learned a tremendous amount about how internal medicine helps keep everything moving while in the hospital. It took some getting used to waking up early again after break, but I made it happen. Lol It was also time I started scheduling my USMLE and COMLEX. More to come here as board season begins to simmer. Many learned lessons later, topics covered, and chilly morning commutes and January was behind me.
February 2022
To mix up the new month after our rotation finished we wanted to have a bonfire! We didn’t anticipate it being as hard as it was to find a place to do this, but ultimately we found a pretty cool campground and got our friends out for fun! February kicked off my month of family medicine. I was lucky enough that my preceptor was also the mayor of Saraland, AL! Pretty unique experience in itself which provided a bunch of additional opportunities. Family medicine was a cool experience. Being able to see a wide variety on any given day, adults to children, and really serving a wide part of community was such a tremendously unique experience. Before we knew it was also time to celebrate the Superbowl and valentines day to which Tiffany and I treated ourselves to a special dinner! Then at the end of the month Tiffany and I got to celebrate our 2.5 year anniversary!
March 2022
March began my pediatric rotation, something that I was a little anxious for. It took a couple days, but I settled into pediatrics and got to a point where I could really work through the well child exams and help manage otitis media like a champ! March also began the countdown until our spring break and when I was planning a big event! Before we knew it was time for our spring break adventure to PCB, and here is some big news, WE GOT ENGAGED! Everything turned out amazing, just check out the post I did on this to read all about it.
April 2022
April was my month at Hospice. I spent a wonderful time at the SAAD Hospice here in Mobile and had an impactful time doing our best bringing dignity to those at the end of life. I also was able to begin ramping up my board study plan for USMLE and COMLEX. We had a few fun weekends and Tiffany and I got to spend that special time together celebrating being engaged! I also got to present at the MIMC journal club about Fever of Unknown Origin which allowed me to practice my presenting skills.
May 2022
May had me in the Emergency Department again which was something I had looked forward to for so long! It was exciting to be back and to be apart of all of the action. The only downside was that I was on nights which was a little difficult. Board studying and reviewing EM information took up a bunch of this month, but there was still time to spend with Tiffany and friends. Oh, also Tiffany and I’s B-day! We made sure to have an extra special dinner together. Because it had began to warm up we also fit in a few pool parties to kick off summer time with our friends!
June 2022
I got to spend this month in the wound care clinic and really dedicate myself to board study as my USMLE was scheduled for 16 June 2022 in Mobile, AL and my COMLEX was scheduled for 24 June 2022 in New Orleans, LA. Also, Tiffany was in Kentucky on an audition rotation so unfortunately, we had to spend this month apart. While managing being apart, board study, there was still some time to spend with friends and we made the most of it. My USMLE Step 2 went well and I walked out feeling pretty good and then COMLEX took me to New Orleans which I had wanted to go for so long! I got to meet my parents there and we spent the weekend after COMLEX exploring which was so much fun! Once I got back, we had about 1 week of Summer to which Tiffany and I made the most of and invited one of her friends to Mobile for a few fun days!
July 2022
Right at the beginning of July after our “Summer Vacation” Tiffany and I both got on the road as she headed back to Dothan, AL for her Rural rotation and I shipped off to Dayton, OH for my month at the Wright Patterson AFB EM program for an audition rotation. While it is always hard being on the road, I made some good friends the month I was there and made some incredible memories. Also I interviewed for the WPAFB EM program.
August 2022
Finally here we are! After my month in Dayton, OH ended I hit the road again for San Antonio, TX for the Brooke Army Medical Center/ SAUSHEC EM program.
These past 8 months have flown by and included some pretty big milestones!
Getting Engaged
Finishing up 3rd year
Taking USMLE Level 2 and COMLEX Level 2
Audition rotations
They also included Tiffany and I unfortunately having to spend some time apart all the while planning for our upcoming wedding in January. While the distance and the number of activities that we have is not sure to decrease this year, we will try and savor these last moments of medical school before we make it to match and then residency. The next couple months should be filled with many amazing milestones to include a wedding, where we match at, and much much more!
Stay tuned for all the wild adventures sure to happen in the next couple of months!