When I moved away from home to start medical school, I was fearless and inpatient. I was tired of the bubble I called home, and wanted to see the rest of the country. What was it like out East? Midwest? It was probably the inner “Dora the Explorer” in me from moving around so much … Continue reading Leaving Residency, Starting Fellowship
In the Worst of Times
One thing residency teaches you is how people show their true colors as they go through one of the most difficult times in their lives. You really can't hide who you are, especially in this profession of mental health. You just can't help people with mental illness if you don't address your own internal struggles. … Continue reading In the Worst of Times
Self-Worth
I constantly wonder what the world would be like if each person loved him or herself for exactly who he/she was. What conversations could be had if there was no insecurity or defensiveness? If we could learn to be vulnerable and open, and be empathic toward others and embrace our differences? In didactics we are … Continue reading Self-Worth
Hope
I recently watched Amanda Gorman perform her inauguration poem. I don't even know where to begin. She feels like a ray of sunshine piercing through these ominous clouds of negativity hovering over our country. She talks about tragedies and calamities without weighing you down. She somehow turns the pain into fuel to motivate us to … Continue reading Hope
The Little Things
One luxury of being a third year resident is that you are able to sit back and look at everything from a distance. We've had junior residents quarantine because of COVID exposure and feeling ill, so I've had to take extra shifts in the hospital to cover. Despite having to go back to that trauma-triggering … Continue reading The Little Things
Change in the Weather
This year has been sobering and jarring to say the least. Where I am, the weather has gotten a lot colder, and the leaves have all turned to reflect the colors of pumpkins, apples, butternut squashes, and hearty nuts. It's sad to see less of the sun, but it's a beautiful time of the year. … Continue reading Change in the Weather
What is your Identity?
I've been pushing our residency program to talk about racism again. I know this is not on our boards, or anything that attendings would pimp us on, but I truly believe it is an important topic to discuss as psychiatrists. Examining racism forces you to look at your own past. One thing I learned through … Continue reading What is your Identity?
In Solidarity
Last Thursday, we had a discussion about racism during our residency didactics session. It was informative, non-judgmental, and inspiring. I felt so blessed to be in the presence of genuine good-hearted people who just want to understand and do better. We have just two black residents in our group of 16 residents. One of them … Continue reading In Solidarity
Injustice. Talk About It.
The gut-wrenching pain that comes with the murder of George Floyed and many, many other black people and minorities in this country leaves me speechless. But I have to put aside my own discomfort and privilege, and talk about it. There should be no tolerance for inequality, racism, police brutality, and injustice. There should also … Continue reading Injustice. Talk About It.
The Perfect Balance
Today marked the first day of my new rotation in the inpatient child and adolescent unit. I’ve done child before, so I thought I knew what I had coming for me. But boy, was I wrong. Holds, seclusions, and restraints left and right. My attending and I took turns putting out the fires. It is … Continue reading The Perfect Balance
