medical students
Fear of Applying or Fear of Rejection: Finding The Courage to Apply to New Opportunities: Part 2
By Denise Nemeth Rejection, once an unwelcome guest, has transformed into a catalyst for growth and redirection in my career. While my initial reaction to rejection was reluctance, I now am incredibly grateful for the role rejection has played in shaping my professional journey. I have evolved to not only make peace with it but actively seek and advocate for it among others. Growing up under the influence of my brilliant mother, who consistently expected nothing but the best from me, I naturally became an overachiever, albeit sometimes to my own detriment. As a child, I constantly strove to be at the top of my class and even school, including upperclassmen. Truthfully, I never struggled with academics, but I was not one to not put in the work. As my mother would say, it was my “only job”. And so, when the time to perform well in college came, I...
Fear of Applying or Fear of Rejection: Finding The Courage to Apply to New Opportunities: Part 1
By Morgan Hopp Applications for on-campus opportunities, national opportunities, tuition scholarships, travel stipends, research, the list of applications goes on and on. As a medical student, the opportunities sound wonderful and important for matching into the right residency program, but there is limited time to take advantage of all the opportunities, even if you are selected for them. After a few rejections, it becomes overwhelming just to figure out if you are a reasonable candidate and should put the effort in to apply. It is overwhelming to ask your mentor to submit another letter for an opportunity you are applying for…especially when the last few were straight rejections. Then, you might hit a spiral - one I wish I was not as familiar with - if none of these applications turn into opportunities. Without any of these amazing opportunities, will I have a chance in the match, let alone match...
Applying to Surgery as an International Medical Student or Graduate: Tips and Advice
By Maria Vashchenko Navigating the competitive nature of applying to a specialty like Surgery as an International Medical Student or Graduate (IMG) is undoubtedly challenging. With obstacles such as the absence of a home-based institution in the United States and limited access to faculty, the journey requires meticulous planning and dedication. Drawing from personal experience, here are some valuable tips for IMGs aspiring to apply for Surgery Residency: Early Preparation is Key: Initiating your preparation as early as pre-med or the initial years of medical school is instrumental. Identifying Surgery as your passion early on allows sufficient time for preparation for the application process. Mentorship Matters: Forming a relationship with a practicing attending Surgeon can provide invaluable guidance. If you don’t already have someone in mind, seek a mentor during surgical clerkships, as their advice and expertise can deepen your understanding of the field and pave the way for your...
Navigating Medical School, Residency and the Wild World of Medical Networking.
By Charoo Piplani Remember the days when the medical journey seemed like a straightforward path of applications and interviews? Ha! In retrospect, however, it was never nearly as straightforward as it appeared. We have always needed our networks or people with whom we built connections on our journey. Remember the high school teacher who wrote you that letter of recommendation, or the attending who made that phone call, or even your peers who were kind enough to introduce you to another superior at a new institution? They were all very much a part of networking. Networking in healthcare has traditionally revolved around in-person collaborations, mentorship, and shared research interests—amidst those awkward elevator rides with experts in the field. However, in the era of virtual connections, platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter have emerged as powerful gateways. Who knew that these platforms weren't just for memes and job postings? And thankfully so,...
How to make the best of your surgery rotation during your 3rd year of medical school
By Anna Sabu Kurian Third year of medical school is one of the most important and interesting times because it helps you find your specialty of choice in medicine. The world of surgery might seem intimidating as a medical student, but there is enough room for everyone to learn and make the most out of the clinical rotation. The clerkship duties include daily rounds, operating room experience and clinics. Here are a few suggestions for the optimal third year experience in the operating room Read about the specific surgical procedures the night before they are scheduled. Make sure to review the anatomy; and vasculature of different structures involved. The surgery textbook by Dr. Virgilio is a good resource. Practice suturing, one hand ties (make sure that you know how to do them with either of your hands), two hand ties and instrument ties. Reference below for a video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/@dr.omedary8170...
Difficult Conversations: a Resident’s Perspective
By Dr. Kathryn McElhinney One of the most challenging aspects of our careers as surgeons is delivering bad news to patients, but it is also one of our most important jobs. No matter the subspecialty, every surgeon has to have frank conversations about unexpected outcomes or diagnoses with their patients. There are a number of different formal and informal curriculums that have been proposed on how to teach residents how to navigate difficult conversations with patients and their families but no singular method prevails. As a resident, it is the ultimate opportunity to learn how to master these communication, empathy, and leadership skills. 1. Embrace the opportunity to learn and be uncomfortable No one enjoys telling a family that the diagnosis is likely terminal or that the next best step in care may not be the surgery that they have been told would solve all their problems. It is okay...
Empowering Success: Initiatives to Support International Medical Graduates in U.S. Surgical Training
By Carolina Torres Perez-Iglesias International Medical Graduates (IMGs) currently make up 25% of all licensed physicians in the United States and a fifth of all first-year residency positions annually.1-3 In general surgery, IMGs commonly start training as non-designated preliminary residents (NDPR). Unfortunately, less than 50% of these residents will complete surgical training.4-6 What makes IMGs different? A potential contributor to the low success rate in surgery could be that IMGs are often perceived as less desirable than US medical graduates (UMG) . A study that polled members of the Association of Program Directors of Surgery found that 87% preferred offering positions to USMG over IMGs despite having equal qualifications.7 More than half also reported purposefully avoiding IMGs, in part because of the perceived potential for language barriers, the concern for substandard quality and abilities compared to USMG, and the lack of familiarity with educational standards at non-US medical schools. A...
Power of Affirmation
By Hemu Yeluru “You have a future in surgery…” Six words that I never thought I would hear, and I never knew how badly I needed to hear before that night. It was 7:30 PM on a hot summer Tuesday evening on my first day of my first third year rotation: general surgery. By the luck of the draw, I got randomly assigned to cover the first 28-hour trauma call shift. I was trailing a resident on rounds when alarms blared throughout the hospital: ALPHA ALERT, ETA 5 MINUTES. The resident did a 180 and charged down the nearest stairwell; he hoisted himself up by the railings, skipping 4 stairs at a time down 6 flights. I sprinted to keep up, staying close to avoid being stranded in an unknown hallway. When we reached the ED, I stood back and studied as the trauma team danced through their well-rehearsed survey....
Making the Most of Your Research Year
By: Charlotte Berry Research years during medical school are becoming increasingly popular, particularly among students interested in surgical subspecialties. Data support the notion that medical students who take research years are more likely to remain academically productive throughout their careers. As a student between MS3 and MS4, currently wrapping up the first year of a two-year research fellowship, I have been reflecting on what has worked well for me, the best advice I have received, and what I wish I had known when I first started. Balance productivity and personal well-being Compared to the structured environments of lecture halls or hospital wards, research time offers more flexibility and allows you to take leadership over your schedule. While it's important to be dedicated to your research, do not neglect your personal well-being. Taking care of yourself will contribute to your overall productivity and happiness during your research year. When you are...
From Sewing Circles to Mentorship Triangles
By: Morgan Hopp, Anjna Kalya and Lily Foster During the summer between my sophomore and junior years of college, I completed an internship with a private practice plastic surgeon. I learned about surgery, operating rooms, staff interactions, and the inner workings of a private practice. More importantly, I solidified my understanding of mentorship. The experienced and compassionate office manager’s circuitous life provided many memorable conversations about relationships, especially with a mentor. She believed that a woman's strength and ensuing success was instilled from the support of other women in their lives. As she pointed out, prior generations had sewing circles that provided three types of women to support the next generation’s values and future: an older woman to give her wisdom and perspective, a woman her own age to give her belonging in the current stage of life, and a younger woman to observe her own growth and contributions to...
