So my friend Tara sent this email. I know some of you don't know her, but it doesn't matter. Tara needs your help so come on folks, let's help her out. Do your best. She does mention me so that is special :)
Here is her email just as she wrote it.
Dear friends,
So today, upon returning from the weekend, I received an e-mail from my good friend (and designated relationship/love counselor), Wendi, with a link leading me to an article discussing the "10 best cities for singles". In case I needed another reason to convince me to move to lovely Colorado (Matt, Cathleen, and Mindy-you ARE enough!!!), this seems to have done it. Apparently Denver/Boulder is No. 1.
Here is the link:
This got me thinking. I have been a bit unsettled recently as, after finishing an OB rotation, I am quite torn as far as a career choice. As most of you know, I've been pretty set on Family Medicine for a while now, but catching babies just is so much FUN.... I am also quite unsure on where to go for residency after graduation in May (applications can go out as soon as one month from now [YIKES!!]). And I'm feeling a bit lost, like I'm floating around, purposeless.
I feel like I need some hand-holding in this whole decision-making process and so I thought I'd ask for opinions from the people who know me best and who I trust the most. Any advice you have will be helpful (or, at least, amusing.... ). Perhaps I will tally up the results. Feel free to respond if you have strong opinions (or, if you'd rather not respond, at least you learned something about where I am right now in this whole mind-boggling process)!!
1) What specialty do you see me in (and why)?
a) Family Medicine (for my non-medical friends, this is a 3-yr program which includes training in just about everything, including OB).
b) Straight-up OB/gyn (4 years, has a lot of surgical training... and I might miss men).
2) WHERE shall I go (and why)??
a) Denver, CO (apparently THE hot spot nowadays, with great weather and great friends)
b) Portland, OR
c) Seattle, WA (#7 on the "Cities" listing)
d) San Francisco/Oakland, CA (#5)
e) Sacramento, CA
f) San Diego, CA
g) (Other city of your choice-I'm accepting write-ins) :)
3) And, just to see how sane you guys are, here's one more poll question. When faced with the exclusive choice of one ice-cream flavor, do you pick:
a) Chocolate or
b) Vanilla
(Wendi, you need not even answer this one).
Thanks, guys! Miss you all and hope to catch up soon.
Love,
Tara
"Peace-it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of all of those things and still be calm in your heart" -Unknown
I HOPE I GET HERE!!! :)
So okay people. Our mission -- Help Tara decide how to spend her future! (Also, the post below this is relatively new with TRIVIA at the end. Don't miss out. No one has gotten the right answer yet. Join the likes of Ebby, Gabbi, and Ray as winners of, well nothing, but hey they got one right. Although if you guess ninety times as Ebby does, it is fairly inevitable.)
24 comments:
Family Medicine.
Rochester (but Colorado is a close second, and I'd like to visit the NW... hmmm).
Half a scoop of both!
You see, FM docs want a little of everything (including desserts), but they also get the chance to have an emphasis in one or two areas. You should do FM and then a fellowship in OB if you still really want to head that direction a bit more.
Also, to cover your OB malpractice insurance, you'll need to join a OB group practice... you'll never be able to go into practice with me that way!
Bara-- thanks for the input, and the caution about listings. I'm really sorry you're not liking Boston more.... And, from the responses I've gotten so far, it's looking like FM is winning the race...
John- Fellowship option is a good one. As far as malpractice... wouldn't I have to do that as a FM doc too (and, to make it worthwhile, I'd really have to up the deliveries...can I squeeze this in?). As for going into practice together... could we work out a deal where you refer me all your OB pts?? :)
1. What are your preferences? It sounds like FM would have more flexible hours and a less hectic schedule with a wider patient range (males, females, kids, adults). Ob/gyn, on the other hand, sounds like it will require you to keep night hours and be on call. I'm not trying to steer you in any direction - just trying to help you see the big picture. Again, it's what type of lifestyle you prefer to have. Not to sound too much like a dork, but try creating a pro/con list for both and see which one you like better.
2. You know I'm biased - Raleigh/Durham is one of the top cities for singles! Although Denver sounds fun too...
3. How about a scoop of both?
OK, Tara... numero uno: Family Med. Of course, you'd be awesome in whatever you do, and I'd support you no matter what... but, there are some definite pros to FM... a broader knowledge base, getting to treat a diverse group of patients, and the fact that you'd get to treat my (future) kids long before they're 18!
numero dos: I see that you ignored the website's mention of Raleigh/Durham as the #6 place to live. The southeast in general is a fabulous place to live. It's comfortable living with doses of excitement, very reasonable living costs, nice guys, and you can live between the coast and the mtns and have a fabulous weekend vacation anytime you want! Plus, if things don't work out, the guest room over the garage is open now that we have our new furniture. :)
But, if you choose to live out west, choose the city that is cheapest for me to fly to, so I can visit you!
and finally... VANILLA ICE CREAM is a must... with caramel, whipped cream, sprinkles, and double stemmed cherries. YUM!
(Tony votes for a vanilla double-thick shake)
Well, from what I have heard - and I do not know this to be true for a fact - but FM is supposed to have less OB malpractice due to the fact they do not take the difficult cases... that is what specialists are for. Since 90% of deliveries are "normal", that is still a heck of a lot of babies to catch.
The question is, what is the break-even point for deliveries (i.e. how many babies do you need to deliver each year to cover your malpractice costs)?
If we were in practice together, I wouldn't have a problem giving you all my OB patients. I like OB, but I don't need it to feel like a whole doctor. :)
Josh says...
Here's my answer...NONE OF THE ABOVE!
Tara, you should stop this whole doctor thing right now and form a family band (like the Brady Bunch) and tour the country! You would be awesome!
Choc. or Vanilla huh...well, I personally like Vanilla but it's always fun to twist the two together.
THAT'S IT TARA! I have an idea for you...Invent a machine that will twist together chocolate and vanilla into a soft serve ice cream! You could offer this creamy delight in either a bowl or ice cream cone!
Since I had the idea you can split the profits with me...you take 35%, I'll take 65%!
SWEET!
I love it when a God opens doors!
Eva and Laura-- along with my friend John, you have made a good case for Raleigh/Durham (Duke or UNC might have to be "written in"). Esp. if I can live with Laura and Tony :)
John-- what is this "whole doctor" nonsense?! I happen to like OB :)
Josh-- wow, don't we have a lot of entrepreneurs here! :) I think I'll leave the band to you-- you don't want competition, do you?? I appreciate you making a "call" on the ice cream.
I have to say, I'm not overly impressed by the commitment here on poll #3. Thank you, Laura (and Tony) for taking a stand (albeit with too many toppings to make it true "vanilla" :)). I've heard a lot of "scoops of each"/ "twists," even a "Cookies 'n Cream" (EVB!!! The write-in was for the city!!). I want to know: chocolate OR vanilla?! (and don't be scared by the fact that this is Wendi's blog)...
CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE!
CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE!
CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE!
As far as what to do, I vote family, in practice with my husband in NC or TN. As for where you go now, that really doesn't matter if ultimately you are going to work with him.
Ah, Wendi, my chocolate-loving friend. We all know your heart when it comes to candy/ice cream flavors:). It would be so fun to have a practice with "JB" and to be near you guys. Perhaps the plan should be to go out west, then settle in Raleigh/Durham where all the cool people appear to be...
How about ROCHESTER?! Don't leave just when I'm coming back! :-)
But...as Hans knows (he might read this), I LOVE to travel, so I guess if you insist on leaving the #1 city (rated by Money Magazine 3 years in a row or something like that), we could come and visit.
P.S. Twist for me - a little of both!
P.P.S. Since I'm choosing family dentistry, I guess I'll put the vote in for family med for you. I think for me, the relationships that you develop with patients in family practice are pretty neat.
Fam. Med. in Denver. I think that I told you this before when we have talked about where you were thinking about going. Of course I would love for you to stay here in Roch., but since we don't live together anymore I don't see you that much.
Fam. Med/Denver/ and definately vanilla!!!!!!
Tara, you keep commenting. I thought you were 'sooooo busy' today. What's with that? I'm not allowed to email you but you can check the blog all the time.
Geesh!
Wendi,
This is my LIFE we're talking about!!! :) Of course I'm checking the blog, amidst my productivity with research. Ugh. I think I might be able to make the fair tonight....
Rachel and Ebby-- thank you so much for the thought of "Rochester". It would take a miracle, despite your being here. Come visit me in Denver :)
Wendi, I thought your link was to "Best cities for SHINGLES". I was like, "Why would you want to move somewhere and get shingles?" ha ha. Anyway, here are my thoughts...
1. Fam Med vs. OB - I agree with all of the above comments that you will be fabulous at whatever you decide to do. I lean family med because I think you will enjoy seeing the babies and kids after they are born instead of handing them off to the pediatrician. :) I also think that family med offers more flexibility. How important is breadth of training to you? Will you get bored seeing the same thing every day? (Think 3 months of outpatient Gyn!) Are you excited about a full month of minimally invasive gyn surgery/anything in the OB/Gyn training program that isn't L&D? I would also consider how much (or little) OB the family med docs get to do in the places you are looking to train. Which leads me to #2.
2. Where to live - I would suggest applying to all of those places and making your final decision after you interview. No need to decide now! Who knows but that City A is going to be so much more than you expected and City B simply mediocre?
3. Chocolate
So, I am not sure about the answer to #1 because I don't really know a whole lot about that, but I agree with what Lesley said about seeing the babies after they are born as a pediatriciann. As for question #2, they are all great places to live since they are on the west coast and those are the sames ones that we have talked about. But, I am biased for Portland, OR and I also think Seattle would be nice. And, for question #3, definetly chocolate!
Yes, Tara, all the cool people DO live in the southeast...more specifically 6305 Coronado Ln, Durham, NC... ;)
I think I could handle you living out west for a few years if I knew you might end up over here one day. But, don't wipe out any options. Apply to everything that seems like a possibly good place to do residency. Your friends are clearly good at helping decide your life, so I'm sure we can help you again when the time comes.
love you!
I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends to help me through life's confusions :) Thank you all so much for your comments!
I've had people ask me for "tallies," so I'm going to have to give a bit of a debriefing and closing thoughts for today.
1. It's looking like FM. Taking into consideration a) my thoughts for a long time, b) the unanimous responses I've gotten, c) reassurance from a very kind FM educator here at Mayo (Angie O'Neil) and d) the fact that I'm headed to a FM conference in the a.m. that I'm sure will fire me up, it seems like the logical place to go.
2. Denver has the most votes so far. Luckily it has 5 (yes, FIVE!!!!!) FM programs that I will have to check out at the conference. Portland (I will have to get more info. from the Yuans!) and San Diego are close behind (who doesn't like San Diego?!); Raleigh/Durham is the dark-horse write-in :)
3. And (YOU PEOPLE ARE CRAZY!!! WERE YOU SWAYED BY WENDI'S COMMENT?!) chocolate wins, hands-down.
I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!
p.s. Lesley, you too must have shingles on the brain (I just can't seem to wrap up this research!!)
hey Tara, Justin here...your long-lost friend. i thought i should give my sayso since i have been to all of the cities you mentioned in your email. as far as which profession...not too sure. you'd be great at both. so here's my opinion of the cities:
Portland and Seattle are very "hippy". many many people don't believe in bathing. it's funny cause it's true! the city of Portland itself i enjoyed though.
San Fran/Oakland....not too big of a fan. they have good points, like places to eat and shop...but the bad outweigh the good in my opinion. (dirty, dangerous, and gays!)
i like Denver. the mountains are awesome. and there are many nature places to visit..which i think you'd like. it can get cold there, but i'm sure you're used to that. so if you wanna ski, go there.
now San Diego is a neat place. it's so new and growing. and the weather is great all year long. there's a lot to do for fun. it's touristy. the bad thing is i'm sure it's expensive to live there, since it's growing so quickly.
so of all those, i'd choose San Diego or Denver. let me know if there are any more. i've seen this entire country!!! except Montana. nothing happens there. ha. i hope it all works out for ya Tara
Josh says...
Don't listen to Justin! He's a liar!
A liar I say!!!!!!
Justin says....
You think you're better than me!!! I don't hear you laughin now!
Hi, Tara! I would say Family Medicine, not only because of the hours but also because I think you would miss the variety of people that you would see in family medicine. And if you do FM, you can incorporate OB, but vice versa isn't so easy.
I would pick Denver, Colorado. You already have friends there, and you would love the nature opportunities there!
There's my input, hope it was helpful in some way!
jb's brother says...
join the army and be a dr. in the army they pay all your student loans off and your an officer plus you can get stationed in ft. carson col. right between aspen and denver. um for the choice of what type of dr. i say no idea, ice cream vanilla with chocolate syrupe.
I just realized I didn't vote for ice cream. . .vanilla!
Don't kill me, Wendi!
Thanks, Tia, Justin, and Matt for those comments too! After the FM conference, I can give a bit of an update-- I'm definitely set on FM and, after talking to some programs, am really excited about living in CO! Thirdly, GO VANILLA!
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