Hello 2011

Another New Year is upon us, and in preparing for 2011, I went back to look at how many of my 2010 New Year's Resolutions I was able to check off my list. I am happy to see that I was able to follow through on quite of few of them. I continued to volunteer all year with Parkwood Volunteer Fire Department as an EMT, and I hopped on the policy analysis train this summer, spending a good two months writing about the new health care reform bill. I watched Keith get married, and lived long enough to see Phil's return from Western Samoa. I didn't have to work at Starbucks this summer, since I found a "real" job. I learned several new recipes such as how to prepare ceviche (thank you to Claudia Castillo), and I can now make a bangin' spicy chicken penne alfredo dish courtesy of Ronnie Milam's mother. I changed my bed sheets more frequently, kept this blog going for another year, and "make it to second semester second year of med school without being kicked out, cited for unprofessionalism, failing a course, dropping out, or getting too stressed" (although I'm still working on the stress thing).

For other items on the list I can only give myself half credit. I never made it to the Inca trail, but trekking through the Amazon jungle in Peru and Bolivia over spring break was close enough (and equally epic). "Five Star Nerve (the Brachial Plexus Song)" doesn't have a million hits yet, but I'm sure within the next six months it'll be close. Alan Smeltz and I ran a ten-miler just for fun, but we never actually completed a half marathon.  I aced the Geriatrics take home exam, but that doesn't really count. Unfortunately, I never actually diagnosed somebody with something, smiled more than Clodagh Mullen, saved a life, or spent less time on Facebook. I will be looking to try again in 2011 to check a couple of these off, and I have a much better shot at some of my medical goals in our third year.

For the coming year, my list is much shorter. I actually only have 3 major goals (besides my own personal growth resolutions), all of which are med school related. This first one is simple; I want to rock out on the Step 1 Board Exam. Doing well would obviously put me in a better spot for residency, but I think it is also important for the patients I will see in the next two years of school. I feel that if I have a good grasp of the material I'm supposed to know coming out of my first two years, I will be more prepared for the hospital and clinic as a student. I'm not saying it is a direct correlation, as I'm sure test taking skills have much to do with the actual score. However, the preparation involved will take me a long way.

This leads nicely to my second resolution: to take on more responsibility for patient care as the year progresses. Much of this will come naturally, but I'm really excited to get out there and start playing doctor. What I mean is, I'm ready to be out of the classroom and into the real world. I have enjoyed much of the material that we have learned so far, but it's not the same as applying it in the patient care setting. I can't wait to get out there and learn, work, do.  I'm sure by the time April and May roll around, I will be even more ready.

My third goal revolves around where this is going to happen. I would love to be in Asheville next year (see Why Asheville), but if that doesn't work out, perhaps Charlotte or other cities and towns during my rotations around the state. Ultimately, I think I will get a great education wherever I go, but I think the longitudinal learning style would benefit me greatly. Asheville would be a phenomenal step forward for me in the realms of learning, state policy, and preparation for the future.

These resolutions are fewer and simpler this year, probably due to a change in philosophy over the past year, mostly during the fall. Christmas this year was wonderful, but I really wasn't looking for many gifts.  There were a couple things I needed (clothes for next year, socks, and a PlayMobil EMS set), but I realized there isn't a whole lot of stuff that I really want. I completely cleaned out my apartment before heading back to DC, and I'm looking to donate and get rid of things, not gather up more "stuff." The $100 donation to World Vision to purchase $1,100 worth of medicines in third world countries was the gift that meant the most to me.  In 2011, there are things I need to do, but I don't have the desire to do a lot of the "stuff" I did last year. No more calendars or music videos (until fourth year), and EMS is coming to a close. I loved every minute of EMS, but I got it out of my system, and I'm now ready to settle down. I will take a much needed vacation after the Boards, but there won't be as many get-a-away weekends and weddings in 2011 (or if there are weddings, it will be much more difficult to get to them). As I've gotten more and more into the material and studying, I have enjoyed putting my energy and time into school. Call me a nerd or a curmudgeon, but it's a good feeling.

So I'm very much looking forward to 2011. I think it's going to be an exciting year with much promise.  There will be a lot of learning and new responsibility, but I welcome that. The Caps will win the Stanley Cup, Roy will win his third title, and the Redskins will be undefeated in 2011. If not, I am sure I'll survive another year.

Happy New Year!