First Semester Summary

This program has been more than I could have expected from a graduate program. The subject matter is a great glimpse at both a medical school/ clinical aspect and a research aspect of medicine. It has exposed me to a higher-level health-based courseload that I wanted in undergrad. My classmates have been way more fun, nice, and thoughtful than I expected in a program like this one. Overall, the first semester was great, and I am glad to be in this program and department. 

My service hours are as follows:

Habitat for Humanity- 16 hours completed

Time to Breathe

November was a month that was slower than our very front-heavy semester. We focused on pulmonary as well as hepatic/GI blocks that spanned the entire month (and will continue into December). I found the coursework interesting because I had asthma as a child and had to be hospitalized a few times for its severity. These blocks have enlightened me on the importance of controlling antibiotics. So many of the drugs in use today are to control pathogen-caused diseases.

Part of the reason that I chose this program was to find the balance of necessity and efficacy regarding drugs in a healthcare setting. This month provided a great amount of clarity for me, especially due to the freedom that our schedule allowed. I learned about more intangible aspects of medicine and interdisciplinary approaches to clinical intervention through non-didactic learning that I was able to do during this month.

Over Thanksgiving, I was asked whether this program has been worthwhile and if there was anything that I wished I would have done differently. I thought about that for a good while (after giving a very cliché answer to the relative that asked me). Though there is always something that can go better in hindsight, I could find very little criticism of this program and of my decision thus far. I think it has broadened my view of medicine and has given me an opportunity to prepare myself for what is to come. I'd say I'm in the right place at the right time.

Controlling the Blood Pressure

This month was one of high importance in terms of time management and weight of grade points. I would say that I'm relatively up to speed with the pace of the courses, so at least I knew what was coming (to some extent). I've learned how to control blood pressure, both my own (for the sake of balancing everything on my plate) and a patient's in a clinical setting. I really enjoyed the SIM at the end of the cardio block (which I think I neglected to mention in my last post). It was nice to at least act in a clinical setting, and it helped to reinforce my future goals.

I did another Habitat for Humanity build this month. We built two sheds outside in a lot in order to store items out of the elements (which in New Orleans can be anything). We also helped them to clean out and reorganize their warehouse. This month was more about helping the Habitat family rather than a family in need, so it was fulfilling to feel like we provided aid and efficiency to every build from then on.

On a continually positive note, the Saints are beginning to win frequently, and I think everyone in the program is (at least a little bit) a fan now. I included a song by Geno Delafosse, a cajun artist that we went to see at Rock N' Bowl after the Cardio Block exam.

The Loading Dose

So two and a half months have passed since the Pharmacology program began, and I am appreciating New Orleans (and Tulane) more than I ever had during my undergraduate life. I guess I'd probably describe it as a loading dose. Perhaps more than I expected, the program took off and hasn't looked back. I've experienced incredibly intelligent and interesting people come together with similar goals of advancing medicine become incredibly friendly and tight-knit. It sounds just like New Orleans to me: different stories coming together to make a unique tune.

The habitat for humanity build that I was a part of this month was New Orleans East just north of the 9th ward. Our group, some extra volunteers, and the owner of the house worked all day to finish her insulation, yard, and painting. I found it so profound to work in the area hardest hit by hurricane Katrina alongside people new to the city and natives alike. Though I've only been here for four years, it was a great experience to continue to rebuild this city for those that deserve it most.

Since this should be for fun for me to write and for you to read, I've decided to include a song with each month's blog post (why not). This one comes from the Wild Magnolias (because a large group of us saw them at Tipitina's earlier this month).

I figured that including the song "New Suit" would be fitting, as my Tulane experience shifts gears (rather drastically) from undergrad to graduate life. I'm very excited to see what this next year holds, and I can honestly say that I've already had life-changing experiences and interactions through this program.