Work to Live
Are you working to live or living to work? 🤔
As a medical student and resident, we were encouraged to dive into medicine, dedicate, and even sacrifice ourselves for patient care and research. Pulling all nighters 🌙 and enduring 36 hour shifts were the norm. When a senior came into rounds so sick he was hooked up to an IV pole, we were impressed. When a co-resident came back to work just a few weeks after having her baby, she was applauded.
It was engrained in us to live for work. 😓💪🏼
It has taken me 10 years since graduation to retrain myself and realize that this is not healthy nor sustainable. These are the unrealistic expectations that will eventually lead to resentment and burnout. 💔
As much as my brain still protests, I have to remind myself that it’s OK to relax. That choosing my family over work is acceptable (in fact, should be expected!!!). And that my own well being is just as important as a patient's. Moreover I have come to realize that to a job (no matter how amazing and well paid, or how hard I work), I am 💯 replaceable. But to my kids, family, and friends, I am not.
And so while I love being a physician 👩🏻⚕️ - it is a job, not my life. I must remind myself that I #worktolive🩺 the life of my dreams, not sacrifice my life and dreams for work...
#liveVICTORIOUS✌🏼 #worktolivenotlivetowork
Why Ophthalmology?
Why did I choose ophthalmology as my career? 👁
While many students come in already knowing what they want to pursue (in fact, I thought I wanted to be a cardiologist ❤️ my first year), I did not decide until third year when I did my surgery rotation. I fell in love with operating and helping patients physically (in addition to medically with pills, drops, and therapies).
I quickly scheduled a few surgical electives and was drawn to ophthalmology right away. I thought the eye was beautiful; the examinations were fascinating; and the procedures/surgeries were so precise and interesting. I loved following my mentor from clinic to the research lab to the OR to the laser procedure rooms.
To this day, the favorite part of my job is the variety - working with my hands and helping patients in so many different ways.
What’s the favorite part of your job?
#liveVICTORIOUS✌🏼 #whyophthalmology #wio #womeninophthalmology
Style Series: The Short White Coat
After one of my #fashionFriday posts last month, a medical student reached out for tips styling her short white coat. Great question! 💡(and when you are too busy figuring out virtual school for your kids on Friday, we fall back on #styleSaturday! ❤️😉)
A short white coat is notoriously tough for a few reasons: 1) It is one size fits all so tends to be on the boxier side, especially for us ladies, and 2) It is an awkward in between length - not cropped, nor long... 🤔
The key here is contrast - short of altering the coat, it's easiest to stick with slimmer and/or longer silhouettes underneath to balance the wider white coat. Here are my top 6 tips:
1. Roll up the sleeves - this will help the coat appear less boxy.
2. Invest in well fitting scrubs - definitely not necessary as a student, but if you are on a hospital heavy rotation, scrubs are an easy option (especially if hospital scrubs are always too big/small/long/etc).
3. Slim dark pants - This was my workhorse go-to during school and training. A slim style will balance the boxy white coat, and a cropped length will keep the hems from dragging on a dirty hospital floor.
4. Pointy toes flats - Styles and trends change, but in general a pointy toe will elongate your legs. Comfort is also key when you're running around the hospital or clinic (to this day, I never wear heels to work).
5. Fitted pencil skirt - If you don't want to wear pants every day, a pencil skirt is another option. The same rules apply - something more fitted and in a darker color is easiest for contrast.
6. Midi skirt/dress - You can also play with lengths and pair a longer skirt with the shorter white coat.
These are just some tips. In the end, as long as you are presentable (i.e. no rips or stains), on time, and ready to learn, I consider you good to go.
#liveVICTORIOUS✌🏼#doctorstyle
“What is Ophthalmology?”
A new follower messaged me the other day, "What is ophthalmology?" 👁 Sometimes I forget that not everyone knows exactly what I do, so here goes!
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor 👩🏻⚕️ who has completed 4 years of undergrad, 4 years of medical school, 1 year of internship, 3 years of residency training, and an optional 1-2 years of fellowship (in glaucoma, cornea, oculoplastics, retina, uveitis, pediatrics, or neuro-ophthalmology. Mind-blowing that a little body part has so many subspecialties right? 👁).
On any given day, I can be in clinic seeing patients and helping them with their medications; or doing laser procedures; or in the operating room performing surgeries. I see lots of different eye issues, from dry eye and infections to cataracts and diabetes inside the eyes.
As a glaucoma specialist, the majority of my patients come to me for help managing their eye pressures (I liken glaucoma to systemic hypertension; it's often asymptomatic, but if unmanaged for a long time, can cause major issues like vision loss). I absolutely love what I do. Patients can literally "see" the difference oftentimes 👀 - and it's a privilege to be able to help.
Love what you do. ❤️ Do what you love.
Because those who can see the world are the ones who will change it...
(and yes, that is a Sofia the First remix. 😂👑 “So much to learn and see...!”)
“As a medical student, did you have time for anything else?”
To my surprise, premeds (including high school students!) have been hitting up my inbox 📨 to ask for advice and seek encouragement in their medical school journeys. I love it, but it also makes me feel ooooooold 😂)
One of the most common questions revolves around the amount of work and studying that is involved becoming a physician: “Will I have time for anything else?” 👩🏻⚕️
This is what I tell them: Yes, there will be lots of studying 📖 and late nights. 🌙 So you will have to MAKE the time for your extracurriculars and PROTECT your outside interests. ❤️
In high school and as an undergrad, I loved hanging out with my friends and sorority sisters. I was involved in student government and clubs (sports , dance, and cultural). I also loved tutoring and mentoring other students.
But everyone knew I was a premed, and so when it came time to study and/or head home early from a party, they supported (and some even joined) me. 📚
This balance will also be important in medical school and beyond, where it will be so easy to get caught up in work and the rat race (of grades, residencies, promotions, research, etc).
Don’t forget about YOU - your interests and your passions. Because a happy, fulfilled, and well rounded physician is truly the best kind (and honestly what medical schools, residencies, and fellowships are looking for!).