Good-bye Peds, Hello Surgery...

4:07 AM

Author | Aditi Ramakrishnan

During the first few weeks of Pediatrics, my first rotation of third year, I emphasized that I was new, that it was my first day or week or month, that this was my first rotation.  But now it's Sunday night before beginning Surgery, my second rotation of third year, and somehow two months have flown by.  Unfortunately I can't rely on my new student excuse anymore.  In the past two months, I've worked in a primary care pediatrics and teen clinic, where I've palpated lots of lymph nodes and talked about anxiety and confused ear wax with ear infections.  I've spent a week abducting newborn babies' hips, listening for the clunk of hip dysplasia, and advising their mothers on breastfeeding and filing their babies' nails though I've never been a parent, much less so babysat.  I've ridden my rickety red bike in scrubs or professional clothes and clogs or heels to the gorgeous glass twelve-story children's hospital at 6  am for four weeks of learning about children's hearts and the ins and outs of orbital cellulitis, diarrhea and dehydration, Kawasaki's, cerebral palsy, and endocarditis.  I've learned that twelve hours during the day can pass so quickly at the hospital.  The night shift has taught me that time does not pass so quickly.  I've learned that at the end of one month on the pediatric cardiology service, my voice doesn't shake anymore and I make more eye contact,  yet my face is warm and hands are clammy with nervousness during presentations to the patient, her family, and the  rounding team of fifteen attendings, nurses, and students.  So here I am, two months in.

Night Shift Excitement: Yes, we're all very excited to be look at the same slide at the same time...

© Copyright 1995-2024 Regents of the University of Michigan

Clean scrubs come out of a vending machine?  My life has significantly become more exciting...

© Copyright 1995-2024 Regents of the University of Michigan

Media Contact Public Relations

Department of Communication at Michigan Medicine

[email protected]

734-764-2220

Stay Informed

Want top health & research news weekly? Sign up for Health Lab’s newsletters today!

Subscribe
Featured News & Stories Aerial view of the U-M medical campus in Ann Arbor
News Release
United Physician Assistants of Michigan Medicine workers reach tentative agreement with University of Michigan Health
United Physician Assistants of Michigan Medicine (UPAMM) workers have reached a tentative, three year agreement with the University of Michigan Health.
Graphic of food to include in a diabetic diet
Health Lab
Healthy good tidings: 20 ways to manage your diet this season
Staying healthy during the holidays can be a tall order, but arranging your plate and your plans with these tips can help.
syringes three in a row with one with a shot going into it on a light teal background
Health Lab
TNF inhibitors prevent complications in kids with Crohn’s disease, recommended as first-line therapies
Early treatment of pediatric Crohn’s disease with anti-tumor necrosis factor medications can substantially reduce the risk of perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease. Michigan Medicine researchers confirmed this finding using prospective data. 
child looking at family outside of kitchen area
Health Lab
Encouraging spirituality in teens without forcing participation
Among parents who plan to attend religious services this holiday season, nearly half would insist their teen join even if they didn’t want to, a poll suggests.
headshot of Carrie Ferrario
Department News
ORTDD career development spotlight featuring Dr. Carrie Ferrario
ORTDD career development spotlight featuring Dr. Carrie Ferrario
Health Lab Podcast in brackets with a background with a dark blue translucent layers over cells
Health Lab Podcast
IUD 101
IUDs are becoming one of the most popular forms of birth control for all ages. In this episode, we cover a recent Health Lab article Q&A on IUDs with Dr. Monica Rosen of University of Michigan Health.