It's been a week or so since the Pharmacology Shelf exam. I'm thrilled to be done with the exam, but a little sad that the year is coming to an end. Classes are winding down with only one more exam left to take before graduation. I cannot believe that it's been nearly a year since I arrived in New Orleans. I've made an entirely new network of good friends and met some wonderful professors. It's strange to think that in almost exactly a month, I'll be back in Austin...
In other news, I've started working on a new project recently. It involves introducing a club to the New Orleans Charter Math and Science High School (Sci High). The program should include in some capacity the opportunity for graduate students to mentor high school kids while teaching them about cool science concepts. The details have not been worked out yet, but the tentative plan is to host several classes that address different aspects of a science topic (like physics for instance) that concludes with a culminating event (possibly building bottle rockets). I'll be meeting with the Sci High administration soon and I am hoping that this program can be made a reality.
Over the course of the last month, I discovered a path through medicine that seems perfect for me, namely, physiatry. I could take my love of sports medicine and exercise programming to the next level while establishing long-term relationships with patients. One of my concerns about the evolution of the medical field is that time spent with patients is decreasing and the paperwork load is increasing. With physiatry, it seems that I would have ample opportunity to work with patients, address their concerns and be personally rewarded by their progress. So although I'm struggling with the idea of leaving New Orleans, the future seems bright and I'm ready to embrace the next step in my life.
