Hooray for Residency Interviews!!

I definitely miss the city...

They literally slept the WHOLE drive. It was perfect...LOL

This past week I had my first two residency interviews in Chicago! I don't know if I ever mentioned this to you all before, but my parents live in Northwest, Indiana - about an hour outside the city. I actually commuted to high school in Chicago, and prior to moving to Indiana, we lived in Oak Park (a western suburb of the city) while my dad did his urology residency. Anyway...this trip brought back all kinds of great memories, and it was like coming home.

The munchkins and I made the trip together (I know, it sounds nuts as I type it, but really it was OK! haha) and my mom was a HUGE help throughout the whole process. Anxiety was high, but I would like to think they calmed me down a little bit...maybe?

The first night we decided to stay in a hotel close to my first interview, which was right outside the city, because the resident dinner (an informal meet and greet with the current residents to get the inside scoop on being in the program) ended at 10PM the evening before my interview with a very early start time. It worked out great! After that interview day, I got to go back to my parents' house, and just chilled with the family until my next round of events.

The interviews....

Getting ready in my old bathroom at home

I was soooo nervous before my first one, and I tried to prep myself with practicing answers for all of the tough questions I thought they would ask like, "Why obstetrics and gynecology?", "Who are you really?", "Tell me about a time you failed..." I found this youtube video about interviewing for residency and it stirred up all types of anxiety. Well, they asked me none of that. The interviews were so conversational and laid back. I really felt like I could be myself, and I enjoyed meeting so many wonderful people! Even the other applicants were great and some of us agreed to keep in touch throughout the rest of the process... I've been told by multiple residents that the interview process really is the best time, and it really is so much fun!

Now that I have some "experience" under my belt with interviewing, I feel like I know what I am looking for in a program. We head to North Carolina later this week!

Music Monday

Happy Veterans Day! God bless all of the veterans and continue to place a hedge of protection around those currently fighting to keep our nation free.

This is an oldie, but such a goodie :-) 

See It. Do It.

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to one of my classmates. Lexie and I met when we both started the MSMS program a year before starting medical school. Lexie is a single mom of two girls young women, and a force to be reckoned with. Single moms can do this too! I am so excited for you to read about her...

 

Name:  Lexie Morales                    

Medical School:  Indiana University School of Medicine

Graduation Year: 2014

Future (or Current) Specialty: Obstetrics & Gynecology

How many children do you have and their ages:  15 and 19

Did you do any post-undergraduate schooling or working before attending medical school? 

I worked full time as a payroll manager and part time in various industries like Starbucks, bar-tending/cocktail waitress, and sales. I also participated in the MSMS program during the year before medical school.

What kind of childcare do you employ? (i.e. live-in nanny, family help, daycare, babysitters)

My daughter was old to enough to stay home alone, but I did get a cat to supervise her ;)

What has been the biggest challenge to handling medical school (and/or practicing medicine) along with having children? How have you overcome it?
Time management and the guilt of not spending enough time with her [my daughter]. During my free time, I planned mini dates. We would have dinner and a movie, or dinner and walking around the mall. The greatest challenge for me was keeping up with my schedule and her busy school/sports/club activities. My strategy for overcoming is prayer….prayer and more prayer.

Do you feel like your school/job is “flexible” to any family issues that may arise? 
Yes!

For the medical students: How do you find time to study in addition to class time?

Study instead of sleep. Study while eating meal. Study when my daughter is out or sleeping.

What is one item/strategy that you have that helps to make life easier as a mother and medical student/physician? (i.e. organizational method, electronic device, calendar tool, etc.

Networking with other parents who can help transport her to games/events when I was not able to. Also, having multiple calendars around the house and weekly “planning” meetings.

What kinds of things do you do to “relax”?

Dance, workout, and take hot showers.

Do you feel that your experience as a mother has made you a better doctor or future doctor? If so, how? 
It has given me life experience and patience. I have learned to pick and choose my battles.  And also not take things too personally.

What advice do you have to the women who want to pursue medicine with children?

Seek help when needed. Although we try, we cannot do everything on our own. Love yourself and trust yourself. Love God and know He will guide us.

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Are you a physician or medical student mom who would like to share her story? Send me an email at Mrs.Mommy.MD@gmail.com

Music Monday

Well, hello November. Sub-I month is over :insert shout music: and step 2 studying is well underway. I head to Chicago tomorrow for my first two residency interviews!

This is going to be a busy next few months, but I am so excited! I promise to write more too. 

I will try and keep with the thankfulness theme as we approach Thanksgiving!

Have a great Monday!!

Music Monday

LOVE THIS SONG.