Raising minimum wage directly impacts health

Policy
March 12, 2015

I admittedly don’t understand much about the intricacies of economics. But I don’t have to in order to recognize the significance of Walmart’s decision to raise the minimum pay for its lowest paid hourly employees. In the week following the company’s announcement, plenty has been written about the impact that such a move will have on the company’s success and on local economies. It goes beyond that, however. What I see is …

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Raising minimum wage directly impacts health

What a medical student learned from using a fitness band

Tech
January 14, 2015

It was 11:47 p.m. That meant that I had 13 minutes to reach my pre-set goal of  “activity” that the fitness tracker on my wrist had been registering throughout the day. If I met the goal, I would get a “trophy” on the accompanying app. I probably looked pretty funny bouncing around my living room doing a squat here and a sit-up there, punching a pretend opponent, and running in …

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What a medical student learned from using a fitness band

Medical students in the couples match: One student’s story

Education
December 11, 2014

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I recently wrote about the pressure that comes with the scrutiny of residency applications and the interview process. Adding to this, many applicants apply alongside their significant other, making use of the “couples match” option. Let’s think about that: No longer do you have to stress for yourself, but now you worry for your partner too. And while your primary …

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Medical students in the couples match: One student’s story

Medical school: The constant pursuit of approval

Education
November 5, 2014

One of the hardest parts about medical school for me has been the constant pursuit of approval. Having a pass/fail system during pre-clinical years helped ease things some, but there remains a personal desire to prove myself. In front of attendings, all I can focus on is performing my physical exam just right, presenting in the perfect manner, and nailing the assessment and plan. Unfortunately, my strong desire to look …

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Medical school: The constant pursuit of approval

Why the diversity of medical students is important

Education
July 30, 2014

As a medical student, it’s difficult to face a situation where everything possible is done for a patient, yet due to circumstances (seemingly) beyond our control, the risk of future harm remains uncomfortably certain. The majority of our medical school learning focuses on how to cure illness; unfortunately we’re not always taught how to deal with the real world issues that face our patients and that threaten the medicine we …

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Why the diversity of medical students is important

Bridging the disconnect: Why this student entered medicine

Education
May 16, 2014

My family has always expressed that they’re proud of what I’m doing — the funny thing is, they go on to say that they’re unsure of exactly what I do.

My parents know I’m studying medicine and that this means I’ll be a doctor. What they don’t get is where in the process I am, what specializing means or what I’m talking about most of the time when I share stories …

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Bridging the disconnect: Why this student entered medicine