The best medical specialty you’ve never heard of

Physician
May 22, 2018

The most common response when I introduce myself as a preventive medicine resident is an interjection, “You mean family medicine?” I have come to realize that the majority of the healthcare field has never heard of preventive medicine as a unique medical specialty. It’s a shame, because preventive medicine is truly the best medical specialty you’ve never heard of.

Preventive medicine practices at the intersection of public health and clinical medicine …

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The best medical specialty you’ve never heard of

Why did she want to become a doctor? Read her personal statement.

Education
October 16, 2015

Alright, here you go future medical school applicants. Here it is. My personal statement for medical school, written four years ago.

***

Strolling down busy, student-filled Rue Mouffetard, I was surprised to turn around and see my friend’s swollen eye as he ran off; he had been punched in the face. Thirty seconds later, his cousin was attacked and pushed against a car. Initially confused and terrified, I sprinted across the narrow …

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Why did she want to become a doctor? Read her personal statement.

The insufferable patient: You know the one

Education
March 14, 2015

He is that new patient to the clinic.

You know the one.

He is the “multiple chronic conditions” patient.  Diabetes, hypertension, COPD, chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, arthritis — it would probably be quicker to name the conditions he doesn’t have. You let out a deep sigh before entering the room.

You know the one.

He is the “non-native English speaker.” English isn’t his first language, perhaps not even his second. You try …

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The insufferable patient: You know the one

I will include my Twitter handle on residency applications. You should, too.

Social media
February 6, 2015

It’s the beginning of February and this year’s residency interviews are wrapping up.

It is widely known, even encouraged, that medical students change their social media profile names or deactivate their accounts while applying and interviewing for medical residencies.  David becomes AviD, Jessica is now Jes Sica, and Sarah morphs into Miss S; students are leery of admissions committees stumbling upon their accounts, changing their profile names to something that would …

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I will include my Twitter handle on residency applications. You should, too.

Ethics: The six-letter word of medical practice

Education
December 17, 2014

In just the past six months months we, the medical community, have been challenged by questions regarding the torture report, #ICantBreathe and #WhiteCoatsForBlackLives hashtags, Ebola research and treatment, the ALS ice bucket challenge, deaths of Brittany Maynard and Joan Rivers, and the Hobby Lobby case.  What these events have in common are not their scientific or molecular underpinnings, but rather their push for us to reflect on the current state …

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Ethics: The six-letter word of medical practice