Research Project

A preview of my senior research project.  I’ll have more information as it progresses.  For now, here is my poster I’m presenting at AOHC 2018 tonight.

Senior Research Project Poster Presentation

Occupational Medicine Residency

I am now in my 3rd month as an occupational medicine resident and it is everything I had hoped and more.  The transition from a naval flight surgeon to a resident has been quite the transition.  Unfortunately, the overused statement of  “going from a sprint on a treadmill to walk off it” is about what I just experienced.

Life as a flight surgeon was about the best possible thing I could imagine to begin my medical career.  I was able to

Life as a flight surgeon is great!
Life as a flight surgeon is great!

accomplish all my goals and many “nice to haves” while on active duty.  It was busy, rewarding and I made many friends that will last for a lifetime.  I did things I didn’t ever imagine doing and learned many things that I’ll utilize for the rest of my life.  If anyone would ask me if I would recommend it I would wholeheartedly say, “Yes!”

As a more practical note, the transition from a flight surgeon to occupational medicine resident was quite straightforward.  Many of the tasks I was doing daily have prepared me for everything I have seen in Occ Med.  Flight physicals, PHAs, FAA Medicals, etc really prepared me and as weird as it might sound I really enjoy continuing along this path.

As part of occupational medicine, I am required to get a Master’s of Public Health or an equivalent Master’s Degree.  My program at the University of Texas offers a Master’s of Environmental Science to their residents.  As part of this degree program I am taking Epidemiology, Soc/Behav Aspects Comm Health and Indust. Hygiene & Safety.  I am enjoying them and will post interesting information from each class in the near future.

Welcome back to my active blog.

Back in the study

Yep, back in residency now and am working on a MS in Environmental Science as part of it. I’ve got some more interesting things to post as of now.

Back again

It has been almost 3 years since I’ve updated this blog.  I’ve had many life changing experiences and have much to catch-up on.  Will post more later but enjoy the site now that it is up again!

Now and Then . . .

So, I’ve been messing around this weekend out here in San Diego.  The weather was wonderful and I couldn’t have had a better time.  I was able to attend Prospect Avenue Baptist Church and meet a bunch of new people.  I always love fellowshipping with Christian around the world and how easily we can just sit and talk like we’ve known each other for years.  

Four years ago I took a personality test and retook it 2 years ago and then yesterday.  Each of the results show a difference in my personality as I progressed through medical school.  I’m not much more open but am more confident, extroverted, empathetic, trusting in others, feminine, spontaneous and stylish.  Yep, I am a more well rounded individual and medical school taught me much more then I could imagine.  Only one more month of medical school and then I have two months off until I graduate on Dec. 10th.  

Well, off to life again.

Time to work

Well, sometimes the hardest thing to do is to complete tasks, work-up new ideas and check items off the todo list when I have free time. Today is one of those days when I’m trying to complete stuff on my todo list and flesh out new ideas.  No matter, I am taking time to enjoy the day as Ronald Reagan said, “It’s true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take the chance?”  So far so good for the weekend, however, helped install a garage door opener and fixed two toilets.

Memphis

I’ve been in Memphis for two weeks now finishing my last rotation at UT.  It is a strange but odd feeling. One might expect it to generally be filled with joy and excitement but in my case it is somewhat anti-climatic.  Similar to a made field-goal in football.  Filled with relief and satisfaction after a long and tense expectation of failure.

So, I’ve only two weeks left.  What am I doing with myself.  I will be studying radiology next week and then palliative care the following week.  I’ve settled on a specialty – Emergency Medicine.  It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to those who have been following my blog for the past year.  After immersing myself in wilderness medicine and then finishing up an Emergency Medicine rotation two weeks ago I finally figured out that it fits me – or I fit it.  Either way, I had a blast in the Emergency Department and learned a bunch.  It fits best in my future career plans and allows for the greatest flexibility.  

So, how is the finger?  It is great.  Today is exactly 1 and 1/2 months after the accident.  I really think healing has been greatly accelerated by a new product I’ve been taking that help reduce inflammation and overall health.  It is distributed by a company called Max International.  I started taking it about 2 weeks before the accident and then after thought – well, I’ll learn a lot about it. It is a glutathione supplement and after taking it and seeing the results – my anecdotal evidence matches their scientific findings (warning it is a pdf).

Day 11So, only ten days after the accident, I had up to 50% mobility and by 14 days I was up to 75%.  As soon as I removed the bandage I was able to type and at 14 days I was able to play the piano and do most everything including pull-ups.  Only thing I haven’t tried is guitar again.  Because of the scar tissue I cannot flex much beyond 80% but I’m continuing to work at it.  I’ve included pictures chronicling the healing of my precious pinky and then some of the last few weeks.