Parting Words: 5 questions with residents and fellows
Posted on August 8, 2022 by Carol McPhail
We asked graduating residents and fellows who trained at USA Health five key questions as they prepare to move to the next chapter in their careers.
1. What are you looking forward to the most in the next chapter of your career?
鈥淐ontinuing to learn and grow as a physician.鈥
鈥淭o become a well-rounded breast pathologist and, with my knowledge, help patients!鈥
鈥淏eing able to make a difference in patients鈥 care by applying the skills and knowledge I acquired.鈥
鈥淟earning and doing more of what I love!鈥
鈥淗elping people heal to improve their quality of life.鈥
鈥淕etting to live together with my husband, start fellowship.鈥
鈥淚 am looking forward to building long-lasting relationships with my patients and continuing to learn from my new partners.鈥
鈥淢y fellowship in Washington, D.C. I鈥檓 also very excited about coming back to USA after my fellowship.鈥
2. What will you miss the most?
鈥淭he people I鈥檝e grown close to.鈥
鈥淭he staff!鈥
鈥淪upportive faculty and being able to teach the residents.鈥
鈥淭he weather.鈥
鈥淔riendships made during my residency.鈥
鈥淔aculty support and discussions on patient cases.鈥
鈥淎ll the staff at USA and the OB-GYN faculty.鈥
鈥淢y co-residents.鈥
3. What are your most memorable moments?
鈥淭he time spent with my co-residents.鈥
鈥淭he potlucks and the interaction with people from all over the world.鈥
鈥淧ost-call discussions.鈥
鈥淐ooking in the lounge on night shift.鈥
鈥淭aco Tuesdays, game nights with co-residents.鈥
鈥淭he teaching moment around the microscope.鈥
鈥淣ight shifts.鈥
鈥淐OVID was a damper.鈥
鈥淭he long hours in labor/delivery building friendships, my first robotic hysterectomy, and all the fun times hanging out after work.鈥
鈥淭he camaraderie among residents.鈥
4. Who has had the most impact on you during your training here?
鈥淢y mentor and program director Dr. (Luke) Engeriser.鈥
鈥淎ll of my faculty during training.鈥
鈥淒r. (Bassam) Omar.鈥
鈥淐hance Dickson, Matthew Pickich.鈥
鈥淒r. Ramachandra Bhat, my mentor during my residency program. He helped tremendously with my career.鈥
鈥淒r. Judy Blair.鈥
鈥淚鈥檝e definitely learned a lot and have picked up tendencies from every generalist OB/GYN and GYN onc attending. They have made me a better surgeon, and I will always hear their voices in my head while operating.鈥
鈥淒r. Prasit Nimit is a big reason why I chose pediatric orthopaedics as my specialty.鈥
5. Any words of advice for incoming residents/fellows?
鈥淭ake full advantage of your time, be active in your program, find committees that interest you, and find different ways to contribute.鈥
鈥淪tart studying on day one!鈥
鈥淒o not forget to enjoy the little moments in your daily life.鈥
鈥淒on鈥檛 panic. Even the greatest had to start where you are standing. Persistence is the key.鈥
鈥淪tay true to yourself. Your emotional wellness is as important as everything else.鈥
鈥淭rust the system.鈥
鈥淪tay calm.鈥
鈥淭ake time to know your co-residents.鈥
鈥淏e a duck. Appear calm above the surface to patients. Keep your feet moving as fast as they can underwater to get where you need to go, and learn everything along the way. Most of all, let the water roll off your back, and just keep going.鈥
鈥淲ork hard. Prepare for your cases. Take care of yourself.鈥
Any additional comments?
鈥淚 will miss the warmth and camaraderie of all the ones who became my family!鈥
鈥淭here are opportunities for those looking for them, and this program proved that.鈥
鈥淭he ride is short and rocky at times, but the destination is amazing.鈥
Thank you to Mohamed Jasser, M.D. (psychiatry); Sara Avalos Hernandez, M.D. (pathology); Nida Ahmed, M.D. (pulmonary and critical care); Nilarun Chowdhuri, M.D. (cardiovascular); Jeffrey Farrington, M.D., (internal medicine); Dhakshitha Peddisetty, M.D. (pediatrics); Shawn Liu, M.D. (pathology); Sriharsha Rallapalle, M.D. (pediatrics); Tatenda Mudyanadzo, M.D. (internal medicine); Ashley Easterwood, M.D. (OB-GYN); and Will Cutchen, M.D. (orthopaedics) for supplying answers.