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Below is a growing list of Bible scriptures for students that helped me & other students as we went through medical school and beyond. No matter your religion or denomination (Catholic, non denominational, etc), I hope you have a prayer for your tests, boards, entrance exams, acceptance, residency rank list, or whatever part of your medical journey you need.
Getting Motivated (2)
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving Being Faithful (4)
Proverbs 3:5-6 'Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He shall direct thy paths.' (THIS IS MY FAVORITE VERSE OF ALL TIME) Removing Fear & Anxiety (4)
Bring Peace (4)
Remembering Why You Serve (3)
Overcoming Failure (1)
Comment below with any verses you want to see added!
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We all have done it - actually 50 Million Americans eat fast food each day. Instead of choosing a salad at home or a meal prep dinner, we were so tired from work or an event that we drive right up to the fast food line. Of course we all know this is usually a poor health choice so how can you start making better food choices?
1. Identify the ProblemHonestly there is someone right now reading this blog and saying "fast food is not bad for me". And while yes, you get salads and steer away from sweets, fast food is still overwhelmingly filled with high carbs, high fats, trans fats, sugar, and other processed ingredients. The first step to stop eating unhealthy fast food is to see it as unhealthy. 2. Look for certain "Buzzwords"When you are in line, look for the words "braised broiled, steamed, or baked". As you can see these menu items usually start with "b". If you see certain words such as "mayo, dressing, creamy, sauce, etc" ask for it on the side or consider taking off of your meal all together. According to registered dietitian Kathy McManus, director of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital, "I have some clients who say they'll only eat salad if they can use dressing. That can add a lot of calories, sodium, sugar, and saturated fat". Skip the thousand island dressing for a lighter vinaigrette. 3. Consider Your PortionsUse this tool to learn more about what makes a portion. According to that link, portions have increased exponentially since 1985. Americans are consuming 300 more calories = about 1 pound gained every 2 weeks time or 25+ pounds in a year without any physical activity changes. Click here to learn what a serving size is for each food group and for examples of what is considered "okay". For example, by choosing a small fry order instead of a larger option, you quickly can save 400 calories! Or A double cheeseburger has 300+ more calories than a single. You can eat what you want if it is a smaller portion. 4. Know the "good foods"When eating out, smart choices matter. Choose the low-fat, low calories foods and you are already making healthier choices. Here are some examples of healthy foods: Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Drinks
Overall, it can be hard to curve our appetite and stop eating unhealthy fast food. I definitely eat at Chipotle way more than I care to admit. What is your favorite fast food place? Comment below & read on for more healthy food tips. 4th year medical school student applying for GA residency programs? Wanting to stay in Georgia after medical school graduation? Below is a complete list of all Georgia graduate medical education (GME) programs as of 2019. We anticipate all our these programs entering the Match:
Have you ever helped someone else? I mean truly helped them? Do you remember what that felt like? For me, it has always been an unforgettable experience. One of the main reasons I wanted to become a physician is to help other people achieve better health. Yes I knows this sounds cliche. We have all read a personal statement proclaiming “I want to help other people”, but sometimes the answer is really that simple.
Volunteering was always a constant part of my life. My father served in the military for over 20 years and my family often had to make sacrifices to live the military lifestyle. We moved over five times during my childhood but I would not have had it any other way. I was always shown how my father’s service was helping others and from these experiences, I began to understand more and more about serving the community around me and even more about myself. This is one important reason to volunteer: You can get to know yourself better as a person and grow from volunteering experiences. One of my favorite quotes is from JRR Tolkein as it says “It’s a dangerous business, going out of your door, you step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.” I love this quote because it directly relates to a medical journey. For me, volunteering taught me to appreciate the things I take for granted in life. Volunteering showed me what I do and do not like to devote my effort to – good and bad. I was not being paid or required to be there and nevertheless I enjoyed myself. Giving back helped me discover my love for elderly populations and Geriatrics through hospice volunteering. I was able to form relationships with people that were often isolated in the nursing home and I would otherwise never meet. I began to appreciate more about my circumstances by interacting with those with greater needs than mine. Another great reason to volunteer is to learn more about the world around you. Volunteering can teach you more about things that you are inexperienced with such as different cultures, foreign languages, and other skills. First hand conversations with various groups can change your world views and help you develop new solutions to everyday problems. We always see societal problems on television and in the media, and many volunteer programs attempt to alleviate poverty, save the environment, or raise money for scientific research. When you faithfully volunteer you get to be apart of that process. Serving in these areas and many more, can give you a behind-the-scenes look into the issues that plague our society. Issues often become more real when witnessed up-close and volunteers can benefit from new learned experiences. In addition to new relationships and perspective, continuous and dedicated service can help you develop new skill sets. Just because it is unpaid work, does not mean you are not learning new things in a team environment, planning, and organizing your schedule. You often have to be on time, coordinate events, and perform other duties often associated with a job when volunteering. This is why jobs are starting to look more and more about resumes that include volunteering. An education is essential and unique skills awesome, but volunteer work is now related to professionalism as many employers look at it almost as another type of job experience. When you volunteer, you might come away from the experience knowing how to do something new! For example, teaching underserved children in a classroom could help future teachers learn more about child learning and what is efficient in a classroom. Similarly, I volunteered with homeless populations to understand more about at-risk patient populations and what their health needs are. Overall, there are so many volunteering agencies now, that you can acquire almost any skill you want as a volunteer while simultaneously making an impact. In all, service can change how you interact with others, build leadership skills, and shows you care about making a change. Ultimately, if you aren’t currently volunteering, look into getting involved with a cause you care about. Not only can you find out more about yourself, build skills, and learn more about other groups, but the altruistic benefits are worth it. Try committing to volunteering even just once a month and then decide which groups are right for you. I personally enjoyed hospice volunteering, teaching, and medically related services. To find out more about volunteering visit these sites to get an idea of how you can help you community:
Tell us in the comments about where you volunteer and why. We love to feature stories from time to time and may reach out to you. Thank you for all you do! Ultimate Guide to Graduation Gifts for Health Professionals
After countless years of encouraging your friend/sibling/child/significant other through school, it’s graduation day! As you’re getting ready to celebrate this important milestone, here’s a gift guide with fun and useful items they’ll appreciate. Under $25Jewelry On our site you can browse our collection of quality, hand-picked pieces. Each comes in a box and is a special reminder for your loved ones' chosen passion: medicine. Check out our collection of white coat lapel pins, necklaces, and accessories. Pediatric reflex hammer Great for the future pediatrician (or anyone else that’s a child at heart)! Different than the usual bland reflex hammer, this kid-friendly version comes in a variety of shapes. You can choose from a Giraffe, a Dinosaur, and others. Surgeon USB Drive Another creative and silly way to give your loved one something they will use without having to resort to the typical, boring USB. Leisure Reading It’s probably been some time since your medical student had the free time to read for leisure. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi has been getting phenomenal reviews by readers and is worth checking out. Other recommended books that may interest those in medicine (and even those that aren’t) include: Complications and Better (one of my all-time favorite books) by Atul Gwande. Under $50 Portable Charger Anyone with an iphone is all too familiar with a draining battery. This is most probably an even more common occurrence with long shifts at the hospital and clinic, where there may not be enough time (or space) to keep your device plugged in the entire time. A portable iphone charger has been my lifesaver during clinical rotations and I’m not quite sure how I survived this long without one. They come in a variety of colors/designs/shapes and range significantly in price depending on how fancy of a charger you’re in the market for. I recommend the Ban.do Portable Charger (they have some of the cutest designs I’ve seen). Other similar products include: these and this (for those wanting something more basic) Subscription boxes Let’s be honest; everyone loves receiving packages. And with the wide variety of monthly subscription boxes available (like this box perfect for a coffee addict or this subscription service for the beauty/skincare fan--male or female in your life) you’re likely to find something that your graduate will enjoy. The best part of these is that there’s a lot of variation of plans and pricing so it’s easier to find something that fits your budget (and tastes). Under $100Stethoscope Stethoscope shopping can be overwhelming and there a little of different models out there that run fairly expensive. The 3m Littmann Classic II SE and the 3m Littmann Classic III are generally safe bets with great reviews and cult followings. Some companies (like the ones linked above) come with complimentary engraving, which is worth it for those of us with the tendency to misplace things all too often. Fitness tracker People tend to feel strongly about these - they either love them or hate them. Just like most other high-tech products, these vary in price significantly depending on how fancy you want them. All come with some type of step-tracker (which is useful to see just how much walking you’ve done during your hospital shift) and the ability to sync data using either a computer/phone. Fitbit and Jawbone are two of the most popular companies with products that are commonly used. Splurge - more expensive than $100 Ipad With so many apps, medical and not, on the market, this gift can be utilized by anyone, regardless of whether they’re incoming medical students, residents, attendings, et cetera. Accessing the internet and medical apps on a portable device makes looking up information much easier and the ability to purchase and store ipad friendly versions of textbooks allows for a less cluttered white coat. Hospitals and offices sometimes also have the option of allowing access to records and charts via iPad, which is also extremely useful for getting work done away from the office. Messenger bag A definite upgrade from a backpack as one transitions into the professional world. A quality messenger bag allows for utility while also giving a polished, put-together look. I highly recommend Madewell for their durability and style (love this women’s leather tote - 2 day shipping with Amazon!) and Filson Fabric and Leather Messenger Bag (for the fashionable male). These also come in various designs, colors, sizes and Madewell allows you to monogram the totes, as well. Dr. Anjum Bokhari is a current OBGYN resident who loves trying new foods and traveling around the world. You can follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/abokhari89/?hl=en As you pass all of the steps to become a third year medical school student, including USMLE Step 1 & COMLEX Level 1, you begin to wonder when your long days of studying will end. Eventually you realize this is only the beginning as third year medical school clerkships start and you end your rotations with the common, end of rotation shelf exams. You are tested on more than 100 topics covering Pediatrics, OB GYN, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Family Medicine, Psychiatry, Neurology, Osteopathic Medicine, and more.
What is the best way to prepare for these exams? How do you study beforehand over the rotation? What about question banks? Don't worry, my team is here to help with our "Guide to Third Year" series. To begin we have a review of the #1 must buy for third year preparation. Whether you are a gunner or average student just trying to pass, you need OnlineMedEd and the accompanying PDFS, questions, and Quick Tables book. WHAT EXACTLY IS ONLINEMEDED? A FREE (yes you read that right!) clerkship platform created by Dr. Dustyn Williams. To be more specific, Online MedEd is an online, media-based learning platform for medical students, healthcare professionals, and institutions. The company's infrastructure revolves around a video and PDF note format that covers a range of medical school topics. The comprehensive learning program that is best for those in their third and fourth year of medical school but honestly, students at any level of their training can benefit. All of the videos are free and you can pay for PDF notes of the same lectures, flashcards, questions, vignettes, and additional resources for USMLE Step 2 CK or COMLEX Level 2. In all there are lectures on basic sciences, all of your core clerkships and even specialists like "Breast Surgery" and "Pediatric Cardiothoracic" cases. If you fall in love with the program like may students have, make sure to check out the Intern Content, which is essential for 4th year sub-internships and interns entering into their first year of residency. We think this makes the perfect gift for a newly minted doctor! CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT DR. DUSTYN WILLIAMS? Dr. Williams is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician. Undergrad: Yale Former job before med school: touring the streets of New Haven as a paramedic Medical School: Tulane Current Resume Titles: Hospitalist at Baton Rouge General where he's the Clerkship Director for Tulane students in the LEAD curriculum and Core Faculty for the Baton Rouge General Internal Medicine Residency Program. WHAT TOPICS ARE COVERED BY ONLINEMEDED? For third year students, in the summer of 2018 the following topics were offered as part of OnlineMedEd's free video series. These topics are subject to change so check the website often for updates!
There are various ways you can use Online Med Ed's library of resources. You can enjoy the full benefits of the videos and community for FREE! As students, having a free, comprehensive, go-to resource is invaluable and rare. You can choose between a month-to-month payment, annual subscription, quick-tables book, intern guide, and more. The key benefit to purchasing the quick tables book is access to a white coat worthy, small book of high yield information. As we said about the internship book, it is a must buy gift for a new doctor who is about to begin their intern year and wants a fresh refresher of topics they have not reviewed in awhile. Also, the month to month or yearly subscriptions give you the best bang for your buck as there are PDF files that you can print out and use for notes. Just a quick glance at these the night before and the morning of your shelf exam, and you can probably get more than an handful of shelf exam questions correct. These PDF files are basically transcripts of the free videos. So what are you waiting for? If you are a second year just finishing boards, a third year navigating rotations, shelf exams, and COMAT exams, or a fourth year about to begin your new residency position. Sign-up for free now: Link: ONLINE MED ED Googling a few good jokes to prepare for an interview, social event, or just hanging with your medical school classmates & colleagues in the office? Start laughing at our updated collection of over a dozen of the best medical jokes, surgery puns, & medical school one liners. Maybe I should start posting a medical joke of the day?
 The Ultimate Guide to Third Year: A Sample Residency Application Letter of Recommendation Email
Are you a third year or fourth year medical school student preparing to apply for residency? Are you afraid or intimidated to ask your senior attending for a letter of recommendation? No worries! For this segment of "The Ultimate Guide to Third Year" we present a sample email template for asking your preceptor's for a letter of recommendation! -- Dear Dr. X, How are you? I hope you are doing well! (This conveys a connection and is a great opening line) I am writing to ask if you would be willing to write a strong letter of recommendation supporting my application to "Your Chosen Field of Medicine" residencies for the 2018-2019 application cycle. I truly enjoyed my "the rotation you completed with them" rotation with you and your team this "month of said rotation" and was thankful to earn an Honors evaluation from the precepting physicians (If you did not earn Honors replace with your grade but consider the LOR and choose honors rotations if possible). Likewise, I was able to successfully pass my end of rotation shelf exam on the first attempt with a *insert percentile*. I plan to include a letter of recommendation with my application to residency and although I will be starting my application process this summer, I am requesting letters of recommendation prior to the application deadline. I have attached a"Your Chosen Field of Medicine" Cover Letter/Letter of Intent. Through our conversations and my participation during the rotation, I believe you are aware that I am passionate about "Your Chosen Field of Medicine". I chose to apply to medical school because I am extremely passionate about the "Your Chosen Field of Medicine" healthcare field, particularly "Your Chosen Field of Medicine" incorporating "describe a good part of the career" medicine. I have chosen you as a recommendation writer as I believe you are informed about my work ethic and my willingness to learn. Therefore, I believe you will be able to speak about my strengths in relation to the rotation and personal character. Overall, while completing my "Your Chosen Field of Medicine" rotation, I was thankful for the opportunity to learn more about various topics including specific highlights such as: (This is a Pediatrics rotation focused example, tailor this template's example to your needs):
(General "good" traits you can model your own responses after)
Also, attached is my medically focused CV. It is focused on my experiences post-undergraduate graduation and details relevant educational and volunteer experiences. (Make sure to attach!) Once again, I am thankful for the opportunity to experience a 4-week rotation/2 week/6 week/8 week (you get the idea) with you and your staff. It was a memorable experience and I hope to carry these lessons with me into a "Your Chosen Field of Medicine" resident position next year. If you are willing to write a recommendation letter it would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to contact me by email at insert email" or cellular phone at 555-555-5555 if you have any questions. Thank you in advance for your consideration, commitment to students, and time. Thank you, Your Name Your School Class of XXXX Your Email Again -- This is a very detailed example of an email. Sometimes I wrote shorter emails if I was truly close to the letter writer. Detailed letters should get you further in your LOR requests and if they accept you can insert the letter writer's information into ERAS, receive the unique AAMC letter number and have it uploading in time to apply! Good luck to all the applicants. & Remember to have your application ready to submit to ACGME programs by September 15 on ERAS! I am constantly humbled by some of the collaborations I am able to be apart of. Below are a few places I am featured on the web. Check them out as I support all of the bloggers, companies, and more below & their projects.
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