Dr. Rice and Chloe
I discovered some things about second and third graders:
1) they are happy people
2) they are all very different
3) they like to say, "Emily"
4) they smell (bad)
Friday, January 30, 2009
My First Community Activity
Dr. Rice volunteers two hours Tuesday and Thursday afternoons to lead an after school activity for second and third graders. I think Susie (Mrs. Rice) talked him into it. The grade school owns enough cross country ski equipment to allow 6-8 kids at a time to participate. Dr. Rice said that he sort of dreads the anticipation of these afternoons and finds the two hours a bit stressful. He follows that sentiment up with, "...but for the two hours afterward I have the best high!!"
Dr. Rice and Chloe
I discovered some things about second and third graders:
1) they are happy people
2) they are all very different
3) they like to say, "Emily"
4) they smell (bad)
Dr. Rice and Chloe
I discovered some things about second and third graders:
1) they are happy people
2) they are all very different
3) they like to say, "Emily"
4) they smell (bad)
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Place of Work
St. John’s Lutheran hospital: 25 beds (3 critical care/ICU), one L&D suite, 4 bay emergency department/urgent care clinic, full radiological services including CT, digital mammography, and MRI, Cardiac and Respiratory Therapy, full lab services, OR with general, orthopedic, and visiting specialty surgical services. Key feature: old fashioned elevator (which only needs to go down to the basement and back up to the ground floor) with metal cage framing and sliding door. I rode it just so I could swing it shut and open again and see the ceiling pass under as I took it up from the cafeteria (novel, but probably not as cool as I thought it was going to be).
The hospital is a federally designated “critical access” hospital. This is a Medicaid designation, which I’m sure has a more complicated qualification and benefit structure than was explained to me. The gist of what I got out of it was that this designation allows the hospital to receive Medicaid payments of something like 35 cents to the dollar vs the standard 20 cents to the dollar for services rendered, but basically restricts the hospital size to 25 beds. The hospital is in the process of drawing up plans for a new building that will accommodate needs and services better. When I asked about the number of beds the new building will have the reply was quick: “25”.
The Libby Clinic is where I'll be spending a large portion of my time seeing patients. There are 3 MDs, one PA, and one Nurse Practitioner. The staff is very friendly and eager to teach and accommodate me. I even got my own office.
The hospital is a federally designated “critical access” hospital. This is a Medicaid designation, which I’m sure has a more complicated qualification and benefit structure than was explained to me. The gist of what I got out of it was that this designation allows the hospital to receive Medicaid payments of something like 35 cents to the dollar vs the standard 20 cents to the dollar for services rendered, but basically restricts the hospital size to 25 beds. The hospital is in the process of drawing up plans for a new building that will accommodate needs and services better. When I asked about the number of beds the new building will have the reply was quick: “25”.
The Libby Clinic is where I'll be spending a large portion of my time seeing patients. There are 3 MDs, one PA, and one Nurse Practitioner. The staff is very friendly and eager to teach and accommodate me. I even got my own office.
Settling In
Packing up in Seattle. Annie gets a little stressed when she thinks about sharing her car bed with all my stuff.
Seattle to Libby: 2 mixes repeated twice each (not mixed drinks!) and 6 albums, one pee break, 2 snow storms, 447 miles, 8.5 hours later, and one great sign board later: Montana or Bust.
My House:
garage. large mud room with washer/dryer and sliding back door to back porch. large back yard. multi-colored and mismatched shag carpet throughout. electric fireplace. newly remodeled bathroom with lavender paint. office complete with futon for guests. bedroom. wireless Internet just put in, hence the post. just that.
I was greeted by Marshmallow and two nameless barking big fluffy white dogs. Marshmallow was barking at me, Marshmallow’s mom was barking at her: “MARSHMALLOW! SHUT UP and GET in the yard! MARSHMALLOW, STOP IT!” At first Annie was scared, then she wanted to join in. She thinks she needs to reply when she goes out back for a pee, too. She also decided to join Marshmallow’s barking at 5 am the last two mornings...I foresee a bark collar in her very near future (either that or cyanide for Marshmallow, I’m not sure which is more humane).
Annie likes Pioneer Park just 3.5 blocks from the house.
Seattle to Libby: 2 mixes repeated twice each (not mixed drinks!) and 6 albums, one pee break, 2 snow storms, 447 miles, 8.5 hours later, and one great sign board later: Montana or Bust.
My House:
garage. large mud room with washer/dryer and sliding back door to back porch. large back yard. multi-colored and mismatched shag carpet throughout. electric fireplace. newly remodeled bathroom with lavender paint. office complete with futon for guests. bedroom. wireless Internet just put in, hence the post. just that.
I was greeted by Marshmallow and two nameless barking big fluffy white dogs. Marshmallow was barking at me, Marshmallow’s mom was barking at her: “MARSHMALLOW! SHUT UP and GET in the yard! MARSHMALLOW, STOP IT!” At first Annie was scared, then she wanted to join in. She thinks she needs to reply when she goes out back for a pee, too. She also decided to join Marshmallow’s barking at 5 am the last two mornings...I foresee a bark collar in her very near future (either that or cyanide for Marshmallow, I’m not sure which is more humane).
Annie likes Pioneer Park just 3.5 blocks from the house.
Monday, January 26, 2009
T minus one day
As part of my third year of medical training I will be spending the next 5 months in Libby, Montana learning about rural medicine. I'll try to post updates about my experiences, people I meet, and places I explore in Northwest Montana.
This year myself and eight of my classmates were selected to participate in the WRITE (WWAMI Rural Integrated Training Experience) program. The idea behind the program is for third year medical students to see what it is like to practice rural medicine with a goal of training future doctors in rural primary care in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI).
My goal is to spend time training in one area for more than 6 weeks (the length of our typical clinical rotations) so that I can experience continuity of patient care, work closely with a few physicians to develop a mentoring relationship and receive individualized teaching, become part of a community, and learn more about myself and my career goals. I hope to see my knowledge, clinical skills, and confidence accelerate. My time in Libby is not all work and no play: having the opportunity to spend a huge chunk of time exploring the mountains, rivers, and seasons in God's country is the carrot UW dangles out there for restless medical students who can't imagine another gray Seattle semester.
I'd like for this blog to document my time in Libby so that I can share my experiences, thoughts, and personal growth with my family and closest friends. One day I will look back to my entries and reflect not only on the things I learn, but the people and places who will change and shape my life.
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