So i figured I should create a blog entry to make sure some my thoughts are included. Tammy has done great at updating our blog and keeping the memories alive. So, this is my 4th year of medical school update.
So I applied for 50 residency programs and I received 8 invitations for interview: University of Utah (I rotated there so perhaps was a curtesy), West Virginia Charleston (I rotated there), Texas Tech El Paso, University of Toledo, Sisters of Charity in Buffalo NY, University of Missouri Kansas City, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, and Saint Francis Care in Hartford CT. Tammy was able to come to my last interview in Hartford CT and we liked it. Although it probably would not be our top choice, mostly due to how far it is and the crime, it would be overall ok. We spent and extra day in the city and we just hung out. It was nice to have a few days alone with her to just spend time together. I will be submitting my ranking list in January 15 so I will post again with my rank list. It has been a long process and its anxiety provoking to know that its not over yet. I of course, hope to match regardless of where but we sure to end up in our top choice.
Anyhow, in the mid time, I am doing a rotation in Orthopedic Surgery in Saint George with Dr. Anderson. I am hardly there as I have been traveling to interviews so although I am basically not there, it has been good and he has been a good doctor to work with. It is definitely annoying having to set up rotation and always feel like I am begging to be there. I am honestly tired and ready to be done. I am hoping to get the approval for an ER rotation in Cedar city as I would have to go far away if this one does not come through. I have been trying to get it schedule but once again...its hard to get anyone to talk to me, let alone accept having a student with them. I always thought that physicians would like to teach but often times it seems its a burden rather than a privilege. I am hoping that when my time comes to teach I will be more approachable. Anyhow, I am very anxious about this rotation but I have emailed, called, etc and now I just have to wait....
After the ER rotation I have a pediatric rotation set up in Cedar and hopefully I can do a 2 week rotation in Hemonc before I have to leave the family again for a month to go to Las Vegas. It should be my last month of being away as Cedar city does not really have a decent ICU to learn from. I actually set it up for PICU which should be interesting and probably more fun than regular ICU. Then I have two week of something?? hopefully wilderness med and then I will be DONE!!!
Match day this year is March 20 (Friday), we actually get an email of whether we matched somewhere March 16 but we get the actual location on the 20th. We are still trying to figure out how we are going to rank our choices. Part of me wants to rank the University of Utah as my number one choice because there is some feeling of "its a good program", "sounds a bit more prestigious", etc but nothing really impressive. My gut feelings tell me to consider El Paso as my top choice cause I think I felt more welcomed and the cost of living would be better. Although the salary is the lowest from the sites I interviewed at, they offered free insurance and free meals. For some it would not be a bid deal but $600 per month for insurance and the convenience to have food each day for free is tempting. The University of Missouri Kansas city is a pretty good option too. Nice mixture of hospitals, better salary but not the perks of insurance and food. I think there is something about my ego that is getting in my way. Perhaps I am feeling like "El Paso" sounds like a lower status than lets say the"University of Utah" but really I don't think it would matter in the long term. Texas is a good state and I think I would get great experience in El Paso. Tammy and I have a lot to think about.
