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June 2008
A New Beginning
Summer has arrived, and the latest batch of MUSC medical students has graduated and taken the oath, ready to take what they've learned and head on to internships. Among them are 18 students who have chosen to go into pediatric programs, both here at MUSC and at teaching universities across the U.S. and beyond.
For most of these students, choosing pediatrics is a decision to improve the lives of children.
"Taking care of children seems so important, because they have their whole lives ahead of them and you can make such a difference," says recent MUSC graduate John Weathers, who continues at MUSC in the Med/Peds program this fall.
"It's cool to see a sick child get better. And there's such a difference between a sick child and a well child - it's like night and day," he says.
Here, Weathers and two other recent MUSC grads share what they learned in medical school and the challenges that lie ahead.
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| John Weathers, MUSC Med/Peds program |
John Weathers
John Weathers is the recipient of the Charles P. Darby award. The award goes to a pediatrics student in recognition of superb clinical skills and character traits of judgment, concerned care and compassion for children and their families.
WHY PEDIATRICS? "It's energizing to walk into a clinic and see children running around. It makes me look forward to my day."
HE'S READY: "In medical school, you watch someone else do the real work. I'm ready to do it myself."
THE FLIP SIDE: "Being responsible for the patient is also a scary load to carry."
HIS CHALLENGE: Carrying the code pager at night without someone else immediately available. "Especially if the patient is crashing and you have to make a decision."
HOW MEDICAL SCHOOL PREPARED HIM: Organization and multi-tasking skills. "Being organized is key, because I'll have to have everything done for my patients. It's easy to forget things if you get called in the middle of treating a patient."
HOW HE STAYS GROUNDED: Study when you study, and take time to be with family and friends. "If I set aside a large amount of time to study, I didn't study well. It was challenging to maintain a personal life, but it was important, and it kept me balanced and focused."
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Brittany Ray, Vanderbilt University pediatric program
President, Students Interested in Pediatrics (SIP) |
Brittany Ray
WHY PEDIATRICS? Preventive medicine at its purest. "You get to start from the very beginning of life."
EXCITED? "To take my four years of hard work and studying and apply that to the real world. To have more responsibility while learning from my fellow residents and attendings."
LESSONS SHE LEARNED: Respect and appreciate others and work as a team. "It's important to support those you work with in order to provide the best overall patient care."
MORE THAN PATIENTS: "Every patient is a parent, child, sister, or brother to someone. I plan to take time to get to know my patients, because that makes it much easier to address their needs."
HER CHALLENGE: The NICU. "Fortunately I'll be surrounded by nurses and attending physicians who will show me the ropes. A great learning experience."
HOW SHE'LL FACE IT: She's not afraid to ask for help. "It's especially helpful to know the roles of those around you and who you can go to if you find yourself in a difficult position."
ONE LAST THING: "You will never remember anything that you study past midnight."
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