I decided to map out where I have been since the beginning of November, and some of them are multiple trips. This isn’t including our trip to Ecuador in a few weeks or our honeymoon across both oceans. I racked up some miles…that’s for sure. And major lbs from the amazing food! Worst flight: Austin to Newark to Manchester to Detroit to Houston. 4 interviews…6 days. Whew. Let’s hope, Match Day March 17th…this becomes all worth it! Crossing my fingers!
So many cities...so little time.
Well, time has gone by so quickly! The month at Mayo was awesome, as we were expecting. I am not going to say anything about the programs since I no longer know who reads my blog. However, I will say, Mayo is called the “Ivory Tower” for a reason. Or should I say reasonS.
The nurses here are the highest caliber you can find. Hands down. They are the nicest, most educated, and non-gossipy nurses you will ever find. Mayo only hires RN’s, even their surgical techs are RN’s. They feel no threat from medical students, and many of them are nurse practitioners who can write prescriptions. Mayo gives them a lot of well-deserved power. If they or any physician want anything change, it happens overnight almost. They can cancel labs, but usually they call the resident beforehand. They present cases at report just like a medical student, and they usually know what they are talking about.
NO ONE wears short coats here. You can’t tell who is who. Which is why everyone is respectful of everyone. I couldn’t tell who was the student from the intern; we’re all pimped the same and addressed the same. I comes out in the minor details like who can write scripts and which level questions you get asked, but I never judged anyone in or out of a suit. You just can’t plain tell. The suits push the professionalism environment to the max. There is a dress code committee, which you would think is stifling, but really, everyone just does it. It becomes the norm.
And the rules are followed. Suits are worn by physicians for the most part except those in scrubs. Scrubs are not allowed outside of the hospital. It’s pretty much frowned upon and rarely does someone do it. Though it makes sense since the scrubs are meant to keep the outside environment outside.
Everyone, I mean everyone, is absolutely respectful, of each other and their patients. You don’t talk about patients badly, you don’t talk about other specialties badly, and everyone smiles and says hello as you pass.
Patients come FIRST. In everything they do. The patient elevators are faster; the patient parking lots are closer. There isn’t a thing that doesn’t pass quality control for the patient at the end of the day. By the way, if you could see this campus, it’s impressive. Every building is like a museum. And the subway tunnels are works of art. The Gonda building has blown glass ceilings, and the Siebans has a huge Greek statue standing over the most impressive view of the Mayo building. People walk in masses in white coats and scrubs among the patients at the junction of the subways. It’s madness in the morning and amazing to see.
Our experience was nothing short of impressive. There is a reason why people donate millions of dollars to this institution every year, and why the wealthiest people in the world come here just for a physical.
To me, there is no Mayo of the South. There is only one Mayo.
Guess who? MegaTron at the Rochester Farmer's Market. $50 for a birthday party! Ha!
My gosh, it’s been almost a a few weeks since the last post. We have been ridiculously busy. The rotations for us have been tiring. Lots of call and extra research projects and presentations. I have been busy wedding planning, spending time with Ravi and Chosun and the kiddos, and taking in the beautiful town of Rochester.
The residency match cycle HAS begun full force. I write about it but it will all be posted post Match (March 17, 2011). You never know who reads these days. The months that took to perfect and build your application for ERAS ends is a simple, anxiety-ridden Submit-button moment. By the way, most of my schools uploaded within that afternoon. My first interview offer was within 4-5 days. I am not sure what the norm is for other specialties, but for Ob-Gyn, it’s early!
Gorgeous Flowers Jin bought for his mom!
And wedding planning! Sigh. I don’t have the time for it, and there are a lot of parts of it that I don’t care about. I want a beautiful party that is fun and intimate for the people we love. So we decided on a destination wedding with the location to be announced soon. Our engagement pictures have been moved back, and we’re super excited after hiring a wedding planner. If you are getting married soon,I highly suggest this route. Seriously, the best thing we ever did was hire a planner. It cuts the stress by 80%. I worry about what matters to me.
The DRESS! I am so lucky to have awesome bridesmaids and friends who keep an eye out for me! I told them a similar style, she eyed it and bought it, I tried it on, and done. No alterations even needed.
Vegetable Shopping at the Organic Market before the cold front came!
Rochester is COLD!! We were so unprepared with out windbreakers and fleece. I thought, September, how cold could it be? I am not going to bring my gigantic parka. Well it’s not parka cold, but when it rains here, that wind gets brisk. The weather gets unpredictable BUT they have a true fall. The leaves turn golden-yellow, and it’s just gorgeous.
Just catching up!
