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!