January 14, 2012
"I wanted surgery during the summer because I didn’t have good air conditioning at home."

— My research advisor, on her rationale for choosing third year rotation schedules. Did I mention that I love her? 

11:33am
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January 10, 2012
"The state has a right to [ban contraception], I have never questioned that the state has a right to do that."

—

Rick Santorum in New Hampshire today (via lenachen)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO how is this not too much government intrusion into my life? 

(Source: golden-notebook, via lenachen)

6:52pm
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January 2, 2012
2012!

This school year has absolutely flown by. 2012 heralds the beginning of hard-core studying for Step 1 of the USMLE (“big scary doctor test”, as one of my classmates put it), planning for third year (responsibility for real patients, no joke), a publication at some point, and lots of confusion about that MPH part of my MD/MPH program (so when do we have class??). Even though I’m absolutely completely not ready for the exam hullabaloo to start, I am actually kind of looking forward to taking the boards! When your butt is numb from sitting in front of the books all day, it’s hard to believe that all this work will eventually lead to the ability to practice medicine, but having Step 1 (of three) under my belt will make it more real. Plus there will be less sitting next year. I have a lot of great things to look forward to this year, but for the moment, I am really excited about participating in the Massachusetts Student Health Policy Forum later this week. Cost containment has been the topic of the day here in Massachusetts since 2006, when the state passed Romney-care and increased access to ultimately cover ~96% of MA residents. I can’t wait to spend all day listening to people talk about payment reform, creating integrated health care delivery systems, and promoting primary care! 

7:37pm
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December 26, 2011
Childhood obesity is declining in NY?!

No way. This is amazing! Although considering the numerous policies and campaigns (1, 2, 3) that the health department has enacted in recent years, I guess one could also say, “It’s about time!” 

10:03pm
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November 17, 2011
Perfect study break

We’re studying Microbiology/Infectious Disease right now and somehow the guys over at Radiolab knew and made this just for me. Right? 

During our Hematology/Oncology unit last month (and it was an ugly, grueling month), my study breaks often involved reading a few pages from The Emperor of All Maladies. I like being able to step back and see the big picture narrative. It reminds me that there’s a purpose to what I’m doing in medical school. 

6:47am
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November 9, 2011
"Wal-Mart wants to be your doctor."

Walmart wants to become the nation’s biggest provider of primary care. Primary care. As in long-term management of chronic conditions, not just flu shots and ear infections. Terrifying? Or brilliant? I’m more of the former opinion. I don’t see how a Walmart super center can ever serve as a proper medical home for patients with chronic diseases and multiple comorbidities, and I can’t imagine a model of care involving Walmart clinics that won’t further marginalize mental health services from other medical care or that will really improve care coordination across different systems. But of course I’m biased towards more integrated health care systems like the community health center model, and frankly, I don’t know if I would ever want to work for Walmart as a physician. Then again, maybe a Walmart clinic is a brilliant solution for rural areas, where there are few physicians and lots of logistical barriers to running a clinic. Maybe we just need really crazy ideas like this to shake up the system. What do other people think? Could this ever work? What about the rural med angle? 

7:15am
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