2015-2016 Year in Review
As I complete my third year of undergraduate studies, I move forward one year in the continuation of my medical career. Although this year was without question a challenging year—academically and otherwise—I was afforded many valuable opportunities; from these opportunities I have gained an amplitude of indispensable experiences, all of which will inevitably continue to shape my life and future endeavors.
I began the year (“began” as in June 2015, after I wrote my last year in review) working EMS at Cedar Point. Being my second year there, I was able to challenge myself even more than before. After beginning classes again in August, I eventually was offered an opportunity to work at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) as a Patient Care Assistant in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Additionally, I continued volunteering at the UC Medical Center Emergency Department. Later in the year I also accepted a position to work at Kings Island Emergency Medical Services. And somewhere in between I was even able to go on spring break with some lifelong friends. Carrying a challenging course load and studying for the MCAT while managing these activities was no easy feat, but behold, it was a success.
Reflecting on it now, I try thinking on how I managed it all. Although I try not to let medicine be the end-all-be-all of my life, it obviously plays a significant role. As a matter of fact, when I faced the endless challenges—academic and personal— throughout the semester, I often found myself relying on the lessons I have learned through my experience in medicine to get me through. For that reason, I would like to share how some of these medical lessons apply more to just medicine.
1. Stay calm
Working in EMS and in an ICU, I am no stranger to emergency situations. I have found that the more composure I maintain, the better I preform in these situations. This composure absolutely requires calmness; not a “take your time” calmness, but a mental calm. I have found that the same principle applies to undergraduate studies and real life situations. While other students were panicking about exams, I made it a point to stay calm—and calm them. Going into an exam or stressful presentation with major nerves only serves to hinder; maintaining a clear mindset goes a long way. Sure, the exam may be important, but ultimately, it is an exam. It is not going to physically hurt you or be a single determinant in ruining your life. Keep that in mind.
2. Use what you know
No matter how hard we try, we will never be able to perfectly predict what situations may arise in our lives. Just when you think you are responding to a heat emergency you may end up on your knees preforming CPR—you never know. So while mental preparation (synonymous with “studying” in academia) is certainly important, critical thinking with a dash of creativity goes a long way. In the classroom, you may not remember the exact answer to a question. And that’s okay—use what you know and try to figure it out! It’s too tempting to simply memorize rogue facts, when in reality it’s much more important to be able to integrate previous knowledge to answer new questions. I have found this to be an invaluable skill in the classroom, the back of a squad, or at the patient’s bedside.
3. Go home after your shift
Well, you might not have to go straight home, but leave work. We are a combination of all of our experiences and identities, but balance is key. I have an incredible passion for working in healthcare, but remembering to partake in the rest of life is critical to my fulfillment. Although it is not really possible to “leave work at work” in this field, taking time for enjoyable activities in light of particularly stressful or emotional situations is necessary. The same goes for academia; studying all day and night can have its advantages and rewards, but not at the expense of the rest of life. These extra-academic activities are sometimes just as—if not more—formative than studies. Therefore, a well-rounded, healthy partitioning of time is critical to success and fulfillment.
4. Green, yellow, red, black
Sometimes, triage is the only option. When the number of patients overwhelms the capacity of emergency responders, the order of care is decided by patient acuity. Green is the least urgent whereas red represents the highest urgency. While maybe not the most proactive approach to every situation, especially in the academic world, it may be necessary when the amount of work overwhelms the capacity of what you can do. The best we can do is just that—our best. In medicine and academia alike, the outcomes may not be what we expected, but as long as we did our absolute best, that’s all we can do.
In a reflective conclusion, the thread throughout all of this is perspective. The combination of all of my experiences and lessons has contributed most significantly to expanding my perspective on life. My perspective is one of emphasis on excellence but with a healthy dose of tolerance and grace. Sometimes our best works perfectly, other times not so much. Accept what we can, find ways for improvement, and move on with life. Ultimately, with each new experience, this perspective grows just a little bit bigger. Isn't that what life is about?
I began the year (“began” as in June 2015, after I wrote my last year in review) working EMS at Cedar Point. Being my second year there, I was able to challenge myself even more than before. After beginning classes again in August, I eventually was offered an opportunity to work at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) as a Patient Care Assistant in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Additionally, I continued volunteering at the UC Medical Center Emergency Department. Later in the year I also accepted a position to work at Kings Island Emergency Medical Services. And somewhere in between I was even able to go on spring break with some lifelong friends. Carrying a challenging course load and studying for the MCAT while managing these activities was no easy feat, but behold, it was a success.
Reflecting on it now, I try thinking on how I managed it all. Although I try not to let medicine be the end-all-be-all of my life, it obviously plays a significant role. As a matter of fact, when I faced the endless challenges—academic and personal— throughout the semester, I often found myself relying on the lessons I have learned through my experience in medicine to get me through. For that reason, I would like to share how some of these medical lessons apply more to just medicine.
1. Stay calm
Working in EMS and in an ICU, I am no stranger to emergency situations. I have found that the more composure I maintain, the better I preform in these situations. This composure absolutely requires calmness; not a “take your time” calmness, but a mental calm. I have found that the same principle applies to undergraduate studies and real life situations. While other students were panicking about exams, I made it a point to stay calm—and calm them. Going into an exam or stressful presentation with major nerves only serves to hinder; maintaining a clear mindset goes a long way. Sure, the exam may be important, but ultimately, it is an exam. It is not going to physically hurt you or be a single determinant in ruining your life. Keep that in mind.
2. Use what you know
No matter how hard we try, we will never be able to perfectly predict what situations may arise in our lives. Just when you think you are responding to a heat emergency you may end up on your knees preforming CPR—you never know. So while mental preparation (synonymous with “studying” in academia) is certainly important, critical thinking with a dash of creativity goes a long way. In the classroom, you may not remember the exact answer to a question. And that’s okay—use what you know and try to figure it out! It’s too tempting to simply memorize rogue facts, when in reality it’s much more important to be able to integrate previous knowledge to answer new questions. I have found this to be an invaluable skill in the classroom, the back of a squad, or at the patient’s bedside.
3. Go home after your shift
Well, you might not have to go straight home, but leave work. We are a combination of all of our experiences and identities, but balance is key. I have an incredible passion for working in healthcare, but remembering to partake in the rest of life is critical to my fulfillment. Although it is not really possible to “leave work at work” in this field, taking time for enjoyable activities in light of particularly stressful or emotional situations is necessary. The same goes for academia; studying all day and night can have its advantages and rewards, but not at the expense of the rest of life. These extra-academic activities are sometimes just as—if not more—formative than studies. Therefore, a well-rounded, healthy partitioning of time is critical to success and fulfillment.
4. Green, yellow, red, black
Sometimes, triage is the only option. When the number of patients overwhelms the capacity of emergency responders, the order of care is decided by patient acuity. Green is the least urgent whereas red represents the highest urgency. While maybe not the most proactive approach to every situation, especially in the academic world, it may be necessary when the amount of work overwhelms the capacity of what you can do. The best we can do is just that—our best. In medicine and academia alike, the outcomes may not be what we expected, but as long as we did our absolute best, that’s all we can do.
In a reflective conclusion, the thread throughout all of this is perspective. The combination of all of my experiences and lessons has contributed most significantly to expanding my perspective on life. My perspective is one of emphasis on excellence but with a healthy dose of tolerance and grace. Sometimes our best works perfectly, other times not so much. Accept what we can, find ways for improvement, and move on with life. Ultimately, with each new experience, this perspective grows just a little bit bigger. Isn't that what life is about?
2014-2015 Year In Review
I’m not really one for journaling. Occasionally I experience the urge to record a memorable experience or to write in order to best express myself. But, being naturally introverted, I typically prefer just sitting quietly—perhaps listening to some German music—while I reflect, and think.
This year, however, was a little different; I started a journal.
My goal was exceedingly simple. Every night—once my entire day was coming to an end—I would write down one thing I learned, academic or otherwise, the hope being that I would conclude my day knowing that I had accomplished something worthwhile.
Around the time that I started this journal, I was facing a tough transition. For a number of reasons, I found myself frustrated and feeling empty. Last summer (actually while I wrote my last “Year In Review”) I fulfilled my dream of working as an Emergency Medical Technician. This experience—which I am thankful and honored to continue this summer—was my ultimate fulfillment, affirmation, and gratification. I left every day knowing that I touched someone’s life—even if just one.
After returning to the life of academia, however, I soon found it difficult to recognize this daily gratification. Not that I don’t enjoy academics, because I do. But spending all day in class and all evening studying was quite different from the rush of responding to medical calls. For a while, it seemed that academics had taken the place of my passion; and I resented that.
So I did what I had always done: I sat quietly, deep in German lyrics, thinking. But I needed something more, something concrete. My normal routine—well within my comfort zone—was no longer effective.
That’s when I started the journal. Every entry began with a short sentence: “Today I learned…”
At the moment, journaling proved rewarding. Similar to recording observations in organic chemistry laboratory, each entry served as proof of a larger claim. In a matter of weeks, I was presented with pages of results and observations, begging for a conclusion. While every person could read the data, as it were, and reach numerous different conclusions, starting this journal not only led me to several conclusions, but also provided new perspectives.
The first conclusion I reached was that learning can be just as rewarding as providing medical care. Although the adrenaline rush of EMS may not be present, I found ways to enjoy other aspects of my life without that rush. For example, I began to take enjoyment in—and value—the small interactions I had with others. Sometimes it’s the small moments in life that mean the most.
While this first realization is certainly important, the second conclusion I reached was slightly more difficult to acknowledge. By writing anything and everything in my journal, I realized the importance of being honest with myself and dealing with conflict in a healthy manner when it arises. Instead of just toughing it out and remaining silent, I have learned that it’s often better to be forthcoming and express myself in a mature manner.
Lastly, as I am recognizing is a recurring theme in the Honors Program, I (re)learned the value of coming out of your comfort zone. Journaling was never really something that was comfortable to me, but I did it anyways. And the value of the experience is beyond anything that I would have anticipated. Throughout the entire year, I learned—and accepted—facts about myself that are now invaluable, partially thanks to my experience journaling.
As I continue this summer, I try to keep these insights in mind. Every experience—even if a simple journal entry—can be used to open my eyes to a new perspective; I just have to be willing to look. I am learning the difference I can make, no matter where I am, just as I am.
This year, however, was a little different; I started a journal.
My goal was exceedingly simple. Every night—once my entire day was coming to an end—I would write down one thing I learned, academic or otherwise, the hope being that I would conclude my day knowing that I had accomplished something worthwhile.
Around the time that I started this journal, I was facing a tough transition. For a number of reasons, I found myself frustrated and feeling empty. Last summer (actually while I wrote my last “Year In Review”) I fulfilled my dream of working as an Emergency Medical Technician. This experience—which I am thankful and honored to continue this summer—was my ultimate fulfillment, affirmation, and gratification. I left every day knowing that I touched someone’s life—even if just one.
After returning to the life of academia, however, I soon found it difficult to recognize this daily gratification. Not that I don’t enjoy academics, because I do. But spending all day in class and all evening studying was quite different from the rush of responding to medical calls. For a while, it seemed that academics had taken the place of my passion; and I resented that.
So I did what I had always done: I sat quietly, deep in German lyrics, thinking. But I needed something more, something concrete. My normal routine—well within my comfort zone—was no longer effective.
That’s when I started the journal. Every entry began with a short sentence: “Today I learned…”
At the moment, journaling proved rewarding. Similar to recording observations in organic chemistry laboratory, each entry served as proof of a larger claim. In a matter of weeks, I was presented with pages of results and observations, begging for a conclusion. While every person could read the data, as it were, and reach numerous different conclusions, starting this journal not only led me to several conclusions, but also provided new perspectives.
The first conclusion I reached was that learning can be just as rewarding as providing medical care. Although the adrenaline rush of EMS may not be present, I found ways to enjoy other aspects of my life without that rush. For example, I began to take enjoyment in—and value—the small interactions I had with others. Sometimes it’s the small moments in life that mean the most.
While this first realization is certainly important, the second conclusion I reached was slightly more difficult to acknowledge. By writing anything and everything in my journal, I realized the importance of being honest with myself and dealing with conflict in a healthy manner when it arises. Instead of just toughing it out and remaining silent, I have learned that it’s often better to be forthcoming and express myself in a mature manner.
Lastly, as I am recognizing is a recurring theme in the Honors Program, I (re)learned the value of coming out of your comfort zone. Journaling was never really something that was comfortable to me, but I did it anyways. And the value of the experience is beyond anything that I would have anticipated. Throughout the entire year, I learned—and accepted—facts about myself that are now invaluable, partially thanks to my experience journaling.
As I continue this summer, I try to keep these insights in mind. Every experience—even if a simple journal entry—can be used to open my eyes to a new perspective; I just have to be willing to look. I am learning the difference I can make, no matter where I am, just as I am.
2013-2014 Year in Review
As I sit at the small breakfast table in my day-lit apartment, air conditioner struggling to negate the heat outside the window, I remember that last year at this time I was preparing for my emergency medical technician practical exams in a sterile, interior classroom, medical equipment strewn about in a frenzy. Now, living my lifelong dream by working at Cedar Point as a fully licensed emergency medical technician with my first year of college completed, I consider how quickly the past year at the University of Cincinnati came and went, how much I experienced—both good and bad, and how I have grown from those experiences.
To list the full, year-long extent of these experiences in any comprehensible manner would seem one-dimensional and superficial. For example, stating all the organizations I joined or calculating the exact hours I volunteered has no appeal if not accompanied by an explanation of the value of such experiences. Therefore, focusing on my character development while illustrating the foundation through which such growth developed is perhaps the best way to convey my naturally introverted reflection.
I realize now that my most prominent growth over the past year lays in the realm of self-awareness. Not to say that before this year I was oblivious to everything about myself, but I certainly became more in-tune with my passions and unraveled my learning and leadership styles in a way that allowed me to better understand myself. In other words, through the experiences of the past year I have learned to reflect on my interests and personality. As I have already stated, it would be entirely too lengthy to list every involvement of the past academic year. Therefore, I will focus on a few that were the most meaningful and rewarding.
At the beginning of the first semester, I opted to be a tutor with BearcatBuddies, which is a program that pairs UC students with a youth in local Cincinnati schools. Once weekly I had the distinct pleasure of helping a third grader read, write, and perform mathematical operations. After serving for the first semester with BearcatBuddies, I decided to volunteer at the University Hospital Emergency Department. Once again on a weekly basis, I was overjoyed to interact with the patients and staff at the emergency department. On occasion, I also had the opportunity to volunteer with programs such as Into the Streets and through h2o, a campus-based, non-denominational church.
Through these numerous service activities, I have learned that I am motivated by serving others; I am the happiest when I am able to offer myself to others. Although before these experiences I was aware of this fact, after this year I am certain of it. If nothing else, I can now safely say that whatever I do in the future, I want to be able to serve others; this desire is simply part of who I am—and who I am becoming.
Another experience related to self-awareness that I strongly believe deserves a special focus is LeaderShape. (Please view the “LeaderShape” tab under “Honors Experiences” for more detailed information). Overall, LeaderShape encouraged me to do some serious introspective analysis of who I am and who I plan to be. Not only did I discover more about myself than I had expected, but I also learned how to use my knowledge about myself (such as my personality type) in order to maximize synergy when working with others. As the name implies, I learned about leadership, but more than that, I learned about inclusive leadership and above all—integrity. Being integral—true to one’s self—I have learned, is at the center of self-awareness.
Another honors experience that I completed this year is also noteworthy, although it may stray slightly from the theme of self-awareness. Exploring Biomedical Research was hosted by the UC College of Medicine in the spring semester. This seminar was very interesting and taught me several important lessons. Aside from the natural acquisition of scientific knowledge from such a course, this seminar showed me the vital importance of asking questions. Not just questions to enhance my own understanding, but questions that challenge others—and myself—to think critically about current issues and controversies. As I begin my journey through college, I have no doubt that this urge to ask questions will become increasingly important.
Throughout this first year I have also come to find another truth: theory and praxis are often different entities. In the previously mentioned experience I was introduced to the world of research, but I also had the immense honor and pleasure to actually partake in a research project. In coordination with my global health professor, I wrote a literature review on the status of HIV in the Democratic Republic of Congo. After sending the paper to numerous other specialists, we plan on publishing it and writing some follow-up articles as well. I am naturally elated that I will be published in a paper. Even more than that, though, I am grateful for the experiential knowledge I gained. I was able to see the outcome of asking questions such as: why is it that some populations have less access to HIV antiretroviral and prevention programs? Through this experience, I have learned to always ask questions because, although the journey to an explanation may be rough, discovering a solution is extremely rewarding.
As I have already defined this year to be a major development in my self-awareness, I find that the value of inquiry plays a large role in self-analysis—discovering who I am and who I want to be. With all the changes over the past year, I constantly found myself reflecting and asking myself if I am on the right course for my life. Do I really enjoy this? Do I really want to do this for the rest of my life? Wouldn’t it be easier if I did something else? I have to come find that, so far, I would never chose anything else than what I am doing now; I am in love with my chosen field, my studies, my school, my environment and my experiences. Although I have changed over the past year, my core values—which have more or less remained constant— have always been my guide.
As I conclude, I find it first important to note that my growth in self-awareness extends further than simply learning about myself. In a sense, I have begun to learn how to learn. By reflecting on my growth throughout the year, I have discovered how to be self-aware, how to ask difficult questions about myself, and how to search for the answers. This knowledge and experience will certainly go a long way in the coming years as I advance further on my dream of becoming an emergency medical physician. Until then, however, I will take one day at a time. I will go into work tomorrow, unknowing what my day will bring. I might end up driving lights and sirens to the hospital or I might end up cleaning a child’s knee after a fall on the Cedar Point midway. No matter what I do, I will always do it with passion and compassion. I absolutely love what I am doing and plan on continuing it into the coming years, hoping—but also trusting— that it will lead to even better things.