My day starts with Alexa waking me to smooth jazz and the local weather report at 5:30 a.m. I usually contemplate jumping right up or taking the next 15 minutes trying to squeeze my eyes shut as if I could go back to sleep.
When my feet hit the floor, I always do a major stretch left, right, back, and an attempt to touch my toes (ha, I’ll get there again). I am psyched that I just busted my first exercise move of the day!
Before reaching for my toothbrush, I say out loud in the mirror “I am thankful for life and all that it gives. Help me to make this day better for others as well as myself.” I request Alexa to play a bit of easy listening while I make coffee, shower, and dress. One of my favorite songs is CeCe Winans “Believe for it.”
Don’t forget to take the necessary drugs as well as those vitamins!
By 7:15 a.m., I am out the door for work with a cup of coffee in hand and backpack swinging from one shoulder. Immediately I’m playing my Spotify motivating list, which starts with “Blow the whistle.” This makes for a happy ride.
My workdays are rarely routine. The residency office has seasons.
- July: Onboarding the new intern class, tutorial
- October to January: Interview season
- January: Six-month reviews for all residents
- February-April: Planning for numerous anesthesia conferences
- February: Graduation planning begins
I enjoy the variety of my job!
One of my main responsibilities is to coordinate and manage the many medical students who rotate through the advanced clinical rotation (ACR) for anesthesiology and the subspeciality electives.
All medical students can reach my cell any time. My phone is turned on by 6:00 a.m. in the event a student has any issues on the first day of orientation or any time during their rotation.
When orientation day is here, I set up the 3rd floor simulation center for the orientation presentation and prepare manikin for the intubation demonstration. I monitor during intubation. Afterward, I give them a tour of the anesthesiology areas at South, PVT and Peds if they are not familiar with the clinical areas.
I normally leave the office between 4:00-4:15 p.m. and head out for my short drive back home which usually consist of wind-down music of some sort. Only now am I reviewing dinner options in my head. Do I need to stop to pick up dinner? If I decide to have dinner alone, it’s usually quick and easy dinner of soup, sandwich, or maybe just guac and chips (my fav). I may hit the small gym in my building for a 30-minute walk on the treadmill. Look at my mail, check Instagram, Facebook, maybe even TikTok for a few giggles. Return any missed personal calls from the day, and then RELAX for the evening.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you took away something positive!
