AKK Newsletter January 16, 2007

AKK: Friends and Family
By Kristina Sinnott, M1

        I was unfortunate enough this past semester to learn just how important my housemates were. In early November I was out on a bike ride a little before sunset. I did not have my night gear on and was trying to reach home before sunset. I was about two miles from home, when a car struck me. I laid there, miraculously unharmed. I was conscious and had a strong pain in my lower back, but everything else seemed to be fine. As I took an ambulance to the emergency room all I could think about was that “No one knows I am here, my phone is broken and I do not know whom to get a hold of.” I was scared. I did not know what was wrong with my back. My family was at least two hours away, and I did not want to worry them either, because I thought I was okay. I really did not want to be in the hospital all by myself as I waited for the results of my x-rays.
        The nurse had just asked me if there was anyone they could call. I hesitated. My housemates, but my phone was smashed, and I did not know how to get a hold of them without their numbers. About a minute later, the receptionist came in and told my head nurse that my housemates were here and waiting in the lobby. Relief must have spread across my face. She smiled at me and told the receptionist to let them in two at a time. How did they know? Then I remembered the police officer took my bike home.
        I was so happy to see my housemates file in two at a time. It made the whole experience bearable. Their presence was familiar and from real life. Up until then it seemed all surreal and from a very bad dream. I realized how attached I have become to AKK in such a short time. How living here and with so many amazing future doctors there is hope that I will get through medical school sane and that I am making friends that I can even at times call family.

UIHC Pathology Externship

Second and third year medical students at the University of Iowa have a unique opportunity to participate in a year-long fellowship in pathology, commonly referred to as an externship. The program consists of a year of service to the department of pathology in exchange for a stipend for living expenses. Approximately half of the year is spent in surgical pathology, a fourth of the year in autopsy, and a fourth of the year in elective rotations. By the end of year, externs are functioning as junior pathology residents. A few current and recent members of AKK have completed the externship and would like to share their thoughts on the program. Jonathon Heath, a current co-president of AKK, just completed the externship in December and has now resumed his second year coursework. Cristina Aguilar, now a fourth year student, is currently applying for a residency in pathology. Jason Boehme is a third year student who completed the program last year. Adam Bell is a third year pathology resident who participated in the externship as a medical student.

What made you want to do the pathology externship?
A.B. – Combination of factors: career uncertainty--completed over half of M3 year and had not yet identified potential areas of interest or future goals; M2 pathology course--well-run and interesting class and small group; discussion with former externs--convinced me that knowledge/experience gained would be useful in any field of medicine, specifically disease pathogenesis and tissue diagnosis, as well as increased responsibility.
Do you think it had any effect on your life at AKK?
A.B. – Only positively. It gave me more free time, which allowed me to get to know AKK residents from other class years
J.H. – I participated in the externship while a co-president of AKK. It has allowed me much more time to spend on house projects.
What did you most enjoy about the externship?
C.A. – Having REAL clinical responsibilities, following through with all your patients, and being accountable for them. As M3s and M4s, you do not experience the same level of responsibility, not even as sub-I’s many times.
A.B. – Contact with enthusiastic faculty, residents, and fellow externs.
J.B. – I most enjoyed learning to an extent that I was able to take on a significant amount of responsibility and feeling that I was able to make a real contribution to the department and to patient care.
Do you have any additional comments that AKK alumni might want to hear about the externship?
C.A. – Encourage M1s, M2s, and M3s to consider applying for the pathology externship even if they are not interested in Pathology.
A.B. – It’s a beneficial year regardless of future plans. Most externs never pursue a career in pathology, but all are ultimately glad to have spent a year in the pathology department. Externs work hard but have fun, learn a lot, have time to study for boards and for other interests outside of work/med school; and they get paid for it.

AKK Website

Be sure and check out AKK’s new website, where alumni can post information about themselves, take a virtual tour of the house, view current resident profiles, and keep up on current house projects and events!