I can’t believe it’s been nearly 4 years. Four years of blogs. Four years of advice. Four years of reflection. Of going through the throes. Of succeeding in hard times, of finding out patients have died despite your best assessments and plans.
It’s surreal to look back on my medical school experience. When I wrote my first blog here, I wrote about the summer after my first year of medical school. It’s crazy how much I’ve changed since, and also how some things have stayed the same. Change wise–I’ve learned how to give an efficient H&P, to think about a strong differential diagnosis, and to be confident in an assessment and plan. Same wise–I’ve found myself rotating around the same career interest of trauma surgery. The more I surrounded myself with these clinicians, the more familiar I felt. I knew this would be my family.
I want to thank my mentors. Who took me under their wings. Whether they realized it or not.
I want to thank the Student Government. It gave me a purpose. To become President. To gain the confidence to speak out on behalf of my classmates. To give feedback to the College President. To speak for what I believe is right. It will help me in residency.
I want to thank family. For being supportive, when I couldn’t be there. Even now that they know I’m going into surgery and will likely not be around. They will need to reach out.
The Merck Manuals’ Med Student Stories has been an incredible medium. To share, to whine, to cope. To reflect on my experiences. And most importantly, to grow. I am forever grateful to connect with people across the country to discuss medicine and to help me shape my career. Merck Manuals, I thank you!
In reading the new generation of bloggers, I know that there are similarities, but also some differences. I’m excited to hear how the next generation of students develops their own career paths. Good luck to all, hope that you stay tuned for when I come back as an M.D. to share my updates from the OR! #TRfromtheOR!
