Christmas break with the Ho Ho Ho Family

This Christmas break, I'll be spending time with Benji's family in Macon, GA and traveling to Puerto Rico with Benji.  So far, we've visited Camp Leah, spent a lot of quality time with the Ho family and had brunch with friends Chen Chen and Ken.  It's a great break so far.  Wish it could be like this every day. 

End of one of the best jobs

Today was my last day at Dr. M's clinic, and I must say that I already miss it.

16 months ago, I started my search for any opportunity that would allow me to gain more healthcare experience. I applied to the local hospitals countless times and to several private practices around town, but could not land a position anywhere.  I had minimal experience, and four more months before I began my application process for PA schools.  Then one day my prayers were answered when I e-mailed Dr. M's clinic this:

Good day L.C.,

 

My name is Irene Gung, and I received your information from the American Academy of Physician Assistant's website.  Unfortunately, I am not a Physician Assistant at this time, but I am aspiring a career in this field.  Currently, I am a post-baccalaureate Biology student at Valdosta State University, and I am eagerly searching for an opportunity for more exposure in the healthcare setting. 

 

So far, I've shadowed P.A. S at the Moody Air Force Base and after my first day, I knew this is exactly what I want to do.  I find the field exciting, challenging and educational.  My favorite part about this field is that I know I'll be learning more and more from patient to patient. 

 

I've already completed my HIPA certification, shadowed a P.A. and now I am looking for more opportunities to learn about a clinic.  I am not searching for a particular position, just anything that would allow me to gain knowledge of the industry.  If you would keep my name and contact information on hand for future opportunities, I would greatly appreciate it.  Additionally, if you have any advice you could give me, I would love it. 

 

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.  Below is my contact information.

The following days, I was able to meet the staff at the clinic and Dr. M.  Little did I know how much I would be learning there in one year.  In one year, I learned how to properly do venipunctures, lab tests, injections, triage and even pulmonary rehabilitation exercises.  I gained proficiency in pulmonary diseases such as COPD, asthma, and RLDs; sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and acute diseases through their primary care patients.  The best part of my job was that I was allowed to considerably give my direct care and attention to Dr. M's patients. I would listen to why they are in the clinic today; many of whom reported shortness of breath, excessive coughing, or just their routine visit, and I would transcribe them. Towards the end of my career there, I could pretty much predict their diagnosis and plan before Dr. M saw the patient.  It was rewarding every single day I worked there, and I'd come home so satisfied with my decision to become a PA.

So, I decided to end my career there early so that I could help my parents retire from their businesses before I start PA school in August.  I've asked a friend who I met in one of the healthcare professional organizations at VSU if she would be interested in a position at Dr. M's clinic in order to gain experience before she applies to PA school.  She is so super excited about it and I'm thrilled she will be having an opportunity to gain so much experience.  I created an introduction manual for her that I hope will hopefully help make her initial period at the clinic as smooth as possible.

I am already sad knowing that I will not be working at the clinic any longer, but I am forever grateful for the experiences that I will be able to carry on in my medical career.

Procrastination

This week was dedicated to time to study for my last final exams in my undergraduate career.  I laid off all responsibilities in the office at the hotel, with my family and the family dog, my room and my diet.  I'm left with a pile of paper work in the office, missed reminders for my Mom's birthday today, a messy room with nothing in my refrigerator and skin with Seborrheic dermatitis.

This calls for less procrastination and better time management :)

Wigglesworthia and the Tsetse Fly

This afternoon, I'll be giving a brief presentation on the endosymbiotic relationship between the bacteria, Wigglesworthia glossinidia and the Tsetse fly. Funny how initially they were living part, but they've found a way to live together and help each other. The bacteria helps the fly reproduce and give nutrients to its offspring, digest bloodmeals, prolong its life, and in return, the fly provides a safe environment for the bacteria.

Life is amazing!

What to do to pass time between undergrad and grad school

As my last semester as an undergraduate student comes close to an end, I am contemplating my options for what I should do next year to keep myself productive until I start PA school in August. Some ideas have crossed my mind, but I haven't made my decision yet. I've thought about:

1. Finding a job in a medical environment
2. Helping my parents finally retire
3. Traveling
4. Taking more healthcare-related classes

Finding a job in a medical environment. The pros of finding a job in the medical environment is that it would offer me knowledge, experience, and on-the-job training that would definitely benefit me prior to PA school. Discussions and topics in PA school would be easier to relate to and understand with what I gain out of the job. I've experienced this when I shadowed Dr. M and PA Mike in the pulmonary clinic and orthopedic clinic, respectively. The cons is that if I were to take on a job there, I'd only be making close to minimum wage which right now is $7.25/hr. Sure, if I were 21 years old still and fresh out of college about to start graduate school, this would be fine, but I am 26 years old and am ready for a position with more responsibilities and something where I can utilize what I've gained from my previous education. I thought about getting a professional level's job with my MBA and undergraduate degree in Management from GA Tech, but who's going to hire someone for just 9 months? Should I disregard the financial issue of the job and take advantage of the opportunity to get ahead before PA school?

Helping my parents finally retire. When I moved back down to Valdosta after GA Tech, my main motive was to help my parents retire. It seemed like my being down here only fueled their ambition to do more which was the total opposite of my reason for moving back to Valdosta. Currently, with my father reaching close to becoming 'senior citizen' status, we are looking forward to taking advantage of discounts at hotels, memberships and the blue bird specials at restaurants. :) Additionally, it's nice to know that my father's healthcare will be not as expensive since he will be qualified to apply for Medicare. So, the pros of helping my parents retire is that I can help reorganize their businesses and sell off unnecessary assets so that things will be simpler for them to manage when I move to Miami. Moreover, I can rest assure when I leave for PA school that they have a lot less on their hands to take care of. Furthermore, I can utilize my business experiences and education towards this initiative. The cons is that I would be creating a stunt in my growth for medical experience. In addition, as Benji has brought to my attention, there's a slight possibility that my direction in my career may change again if I am too deep into the businesses.

Traveling. Who doesn't love to travel? Oh, I would love to travel everywhere! I've been telling some friends that I will see them, but I haven't had the chance to complete this desire yet. For the past five years, I've wanted to visit friends in Vienna, Washington D.C., Hong Kong to visit my grandma, and Boston, but school or work will always find a way to keep me grounded. If I don't have either of them next semester, I might as well get a big ole back pack and go through Europe solo, right? :) That would be so nice. The only thing is that, I would feel bad for neglecting some responsibilities I have now in Valdosta and the number one reason is that I don't have any money. haha. hmm...maybe I should have thought of that first.

Taking more healthcare-related classes. It would be nice to advance in my medical education. There are a couple of classes I'm interested in taking like pharmacology, virology, molecular biology, or comparative vertebrate anatomy. The only thing is that these class credits don't transfer and it's not totally needed for PA school, though it would help me with my future career as a PA. Additionally, the thought of taking more classes while working just makes me tired all over again. I think I would like a break before 2.5 more years of school.

Well, even though I don't know what I'll be doing next year between school down time yet, at least I know that I am going to be so happy after this semester of microbiology and genetics will be done with. woohoo!

I've learned that if I can't say something nice, then I shouldn't say it at all.

I don't think anyone likes to hear a person being negative. This reminds me of a part in the movie, Hitch, where Allegra and Albert are at a party together and start a conversation with two other Manhattans. They start the conversation with, "Did you try that restaurant on so and so street? ... Disgusting." "Did you see the new museum on so and so street? ...Disgusting." All that negativity never makes a person feel good unless they're talking about your competition.

Anyway, I need to start thinking about what comes out of my big fat mouth and retarded brain sometimes before I get myself on someone's bad side. I don't wanna be that "Disgusting" person!

Is there a such thing as "Say something nice" day?

First Time Shooting a Gun

Though I don't see myself ever owning a gun, I thought it would be useful to try practice shooting one today with my brother and Dad. We practiced with two handguns and we brought a shot gun, but I was too scared to even try the shotgun.

When my father pulled the safety back on the handgun, he had no idea how sensitive the trigger was until he accidently fired a bullet. Luckily, he was facing the gun towards the forest and no one got hurt. It scared the soy sauce out of my bro, dad and me. Walking back to my Dad after running away from his accidental shoot, we were convinced that these guns were no joke. My Dad taught us how to use and hold one, and before you know it, I was in line to shoot at our homemade target: a soy sauce bucket hanging on a tree limb.

After the fire of the gun, my adrenaline was running full speed and there was a ring in my right ear. The ring soon went away, but my heart was still beating incredibly fast. I decided to practice three more shots and before the third shot, I was completely comfortable.

My brother was a chicken at handling the gun, but he soon seized the opportunity and shot the target perfectly! He owed all of his success to the hours he spend on games such as Combat Arms on the Nintendo Wii. Michael is so funny.

My father suggested, "Let's go to the creek, and let's shoot an alligator!" I thought this was hysterical, so I said, "okay!" though I knew I wasn't going to let my father shoot anything. As we were traveling towards the creek, a policeman called out for us and asked us to put down our firearms. Naturally, we did as we were asked, and he told us that this land belongs in the city lines, and we're not allowed to fire shots within the city. My father explained to them that the property belonged to us and that we weren't aware of the ordinance, and luckily, the police man just offered us a warning.

We didn't shoot our

selves an alligator, but we did come back home with an awesome experience and funny story to share with our Mom. Additionally, over the course of two months, I have successfully shot a gun and learned how to defend myself through a self defense class. It's funny how I'm doing this to prepare myself for my move to Miami next year, but of course, I could be attacked anywhere in the U.S. It would be just my luck to have something happen to me in Valdosta rather than a bigger city with higher crime like Miami. *knock on wood*

Barry University, here I come!

I submitted the remainder of my deposit yesterday for Barry University, so I am all in. Barry, here I come!

Dear Irene,

Welcome to the Barry family!

Sincerely,

Barry University Physician Assistant Admissions Department
11300 NE 2nd Avenue
Miami Shores, FL 33161

Steel's Diamond Dash

I entered my friend Katie Hylton and me in a little scavenger hunt for a diamond in downtown Valdosta :P I can't wait!

Steel's is a well known and exquisite jewelry store in Valdosta, and their hosting this event along with other businesses and sponsors in Valdosta. It's going to be so much fun doing it with Katie!

Congratulations! You’re now officially a Steel's Diamond Dasher! So, tell us, how does it feel? Now all you need to do is show up, ready to win a diamond ring!

You must be at least 18 years old to participate. You (and your partner) must each have a cell phone that is capable of sending text messages. You must play in teams of two. You may use any transportation that is not powered by a motor. This means that your feet, bikes, rollerblades, rickshaws, RAZR Scooters, moon shoes are totally acceptable, but that cars, motorbikes, taxis and other motor-powered vehicles are not. Public transportation is the sole exception to the motor-powered rule. You may use the public transportation system should you choose. You must be ready to have a great time and win a diamond ring!

Saturday, October 24^that 11:30PM

Food, Fun, Drinks, Snacks, Prizes, Gift Certificates!

Kick-Off: Courthouse lawn at 11:30PM
After Party: City Market at 3:00PM

#2 Best Job in the Nation - P.A.

2. Physician Assistant

Robert Wooten is a physician assistant at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. Top 50 rank: 2 Sector: Healthcare What they do: Call it MD lite. Working under the supervision of a doctor, PAs do all tasks involved in routine medical care, such as diagnosing illnesses and assisting in surgery. In most states they can write prescriptions as well. Why it's great: You get the satisfaction of treating patients minus insurance hassles, since PAs have far less administrative responsibility than the typical MD. "I'm part of a team yet have a lot of autonomy," says PA Robert Wooten. You don't have to take on the time or expense of med school and the field is virtually recession-proof, owing to an ongoing shortage of primary-care physicians. PAs are also far cheaper to employ than MDs, so demand is expected to steadily increase as medical facilities try to rein in costs, says Bill Leinweber, CEO of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. And since they don't need as much specialized training as doctors, PAs can switch from, say, geriatrics to emergency care with relative ease. Drawbacks: It's a fairly new profession, so the number of annual job openings is still small. Pre-reqs: A master's degree; 100 hours of training every two years; recertification every six.