My First Patient

Story: Chapter 1

Part 1 of speech given at residency graduation. Organization and phrasing reflects oral presentation. In medical school, we often refer to our first year anatomy class cadaver as our first patient. I knew my first patient long before medical school, though, and she is very much alive. This story begins in Seattle, in 1987, in a sixth-floor apartment four blocks from Pike Place Market. In…

July 20, 2017 2 min read

Ten Tips for Dating During Medical Training

how to make dating a little simpler when you work 80 hours per week

As a single resident, I’ve made every dating mistake in the book. Let me save you some trouble! Here are ten tips I’ve learned about dating during med school and residency.

March 29, 2017 2 min read

Waste Time Properly

“You should take a holiday. Leave the books aside for a time. If we do not run away occasionally, we will never be at home.” “Hey, that’s deep!” “If we do not waste time properly, nothing will be accomplished.” Island of the World, Michael D. O’Brien

March 25, 2017 1 min read

Let’s Visit a Friend!

Guest blog post today!

How did I become a surgeon? The answer is in my guest post on #LifeofaMedStudent! Check it out and let me know what you think. For more great content and information for medical trainees of all stages, follow my friend and host on Twitter: @LifeofMedstudnt

January 13, 2017 1 min read

"And your desire for exultation is really a damaged longing for the transcendent." Island of the World, Michael D. O'Brien

Burnout and I

6 ways to reduce burnout in residency

Based on the stream of articles and essays, many of us experience burnout at some point. In my personal experience, burnout gradually deranged my emotions and wreaked havoc on my mental clarity throughout residency. Over the first three years of residency, my empathy waned. Residency became what I told myself it could never be: brutal work instead of a calling.

August 17, 2016 3 min read

Let’s Visit a Friend!

(Guest Post Today)

I just wrote my first guest post over on mcsassymd.com! Check it out and let me know what you think! You can also follow my friend Sassy on Twitter for lots of brilliant humor: @mcsassymd

July 26, 2016 1 min read

What Grey’s Anatomy Doesn’t Tell You About Becoming a Doctor

my advice to any student considering a career in medicine

Unlike Meredith, I’ve never had an affair with an attending. Not to say that I haven’t had some handsome ones, but that’s actually rather frowned upon. As I enter my final year of residency, I’ve learned a few things that you should know. Throughout the course of your medical education you receive a lot of advice. You never know who might share something that changes your…

July 14, 2016 5 min read