Monday, April 14, 2008

Silence is golden...or at least an attempt at honors

Today my very nice gyn resident asked (in response to OHSU being on my list of possible places for residency) if I knew that "OHSU is the only program that requires abortion; that's why I didn't apply."

I said, "Mmmm," and pretended my mouth was full (we were eating lunch between OR cases).

I did not say, "No, it's not. There are a lot of other OB/GYN programs that require abortion training. In fact, to be accredited, a program must offer training."

I did not say, "Yes! I did know! In fact, two weekends ago I met the guy who made it a requirement. He was giving a talk at the Medical Students For Choice conference I attended."

I just said, "Mmmm," which was probably the right call. I'm not proud of keeping silent, exactly, but I'm pretty sure that wasn't a conversation that was going to do anyone any good. I'll have to have that conversation later, on the interview trail, with other people. I'm probably doing an away elective in Family Planning at Pitt, and that is kind of a dead giveaway to where I stand on choice.

Anyway, besides the awkward politics that is ingrained in the field, I am loving my OB/GYN AI (Acting Internship). Since I did my rotation at Metro, the local community hospital, I'm doing my AI at the Cleveland Clinic. I wanted to see what the fancy, academic, semi-private life was like before I chose a residency. I have done a ton! Thursday on labor and delivery call, I first-assisted a Cesarean (I cut and sewed muscle, fascia, uterus, skin), I did a vacuum delivery (with much supervision), and assisted a very complicated third repeat Cesarean (lots of scar tissue). Today I got to take a skin incision down to peritoneum for an abdominal hysterectomy. Since they (attendings and residents) know that this is actually what I'm going to do, they're letting me do more and teaching me more advanced technique. And for an AI, the schedule isn't bad. Sure, it's surgical, but this week I'm out at a private hospital where our service is tiny, so rounding doesn't take long. Tomorrow, our first case starts at 9 a.m., so I'll probably hit the hospital around 7:45. Not bad at all. Yes, last week I was getting in at 5:45 and sometimes staying late, but it's all relative.

Also, I heart the Clinic. Big heart. It makes me a bad person (they are evil! they only love money!) but I cannot help myself. It's all shiny and fancy and clean. The food at main campus is amazing (Mexican, Au Bon Pain, Subway, Starbucks....it is a veritable airport food court), and the food at the private suburban hospital is free for medical students. Free! The main campus is a huge conglomerate of buildings connected by skyways, which feels like home to me. Also, the scrubs at the private hospital are teal, people. Is there any color in the world that complements my coloring better? I think not. These are scrubs I am not planning on returning to the laundry.

Anyway, I am rather busy since I'm trying to do this AI thing to the best of my ability, but I am overwhelmingly happy. Much happier than I was on neuro or psych or radiology, even though I was working about 60% of the hours I am now. That says something.

8 comments:

Cetta said...

I don't work there, but I like the main campus, too! I've been there many times (even had surgery once :-)

Tam said...

I totally heart this post! When you are old and wrinkly you can be the medical director at the Oregon PP [one of the best in the country]. I wish we were sisters...

Tam said...

...and maybe if J chooses urology we will get OHSU too and then we really can be sisters!

Tam said...

oh and ONE more thing. You MUST rent Morgan Spurlocks 30-days Season 2 "Abortion" episode where a pro choice woman lives in a pro life compound. Granted she has a phd in communication or something but she does an amazinly job replyign to the opposition. MUST SEE!

Anonymous said...

I love hearing that it feel so right to you to be working in ob/gyn. Not that I wanted that to be your specialty in particular, more that I want you to be happy in what you choose. It sounds like your heart is speaking very clearly to you.

Anonymous said...

Did you know that Rose Medical Center in Denver, CO is #3 on Solucient's list of top 100 teaching hospitals and is known for it's women's programs, especially obstetrics/gynecology? Did I mention it's in Denver? Did I mention we'll be in Colorado Springs for approximately the next 2 years? Did I mention you can get free food at your Aunt and Uncle's home and we're open 24/7?

Anonymous said...

Did I mention it's in Denver?

KJ said...

Hahaha... We are, in fact, applying to Denver. It's maybe the best ER program in the country, and, yes, it's quite good in OB/GYN as well. If we end up there, we will definitely take you up on your offer of food!