Diary of a Caribbean Med Student

Aftermath

After our second night staying on campus, we woke up from the patient examination tables we were sleeping on and found everyone else in the other ICM rooms gone. It was 9am and the hurricane alert has ended. We walked outside to a sunny blue sky and nice breezy weather. Yet, all around us laid the evidence of the storm of the day before. We did not know what to expect to see.

Knowing that the weather was safe, I headed home as I yearned for a shower and a change of clothes. On my way back, the landscape seemed a little different. All the trees leaned one way and many had even fallen. The road was filled with debris and several signs, light fixtures, and poles had fallen. As I entered my apartment complex, I noticed all the palm trees had been barren, with their leaves scattered in the pool and the parking lot.

Luckily, my apartment was fine. Being on the fifth floor, I was not worried about flooding. My cat greeted me at the door as I walked into the hot and humid apartment. Power was still out, and I was sweating all over. I jumped into the shower without much hesitation. The water was cold but I did not care. I was glad that at least I had water and it felt good.

I met up with some friends to walk around the neighborhood and explore the damage left by the hurricane. It wasn’t as bad as I expected. Certainly there was flooding here and there, debris on the ground, and a few trees and poles knocked down, but it sure wasn’t Katrina, Andrew, or Luis. It sure wasn’t a disaster zone, and repair I’d imagine would not take long. By 12 pm, the government-issued curfew was lifted, cars began showing up on the streets, we began hearing the sounds of the airplanes landing and taking off in the distance, and workers began to clear the debris from the streets.

Looking out to Mullet Bay Beach from campus, the water seemed a lot lighter, as if the sand had swept away into the ocean. We headed across the golf course to check out the water. A lot of the seawater had swept onto the golf course and left the white sand from the beach on the grass. Seaweed laid everywhere, and the waves remained large. We ran into some fellow students collecting coconuts that had fallen from the trees during the hurricane. They were cracking the coconuts on a rock and offered me some fresh coconut meat to try. The meat was ripe and rich, and after two days of eating canned goods in the shelter, eating the wind-picked fresh coconut was an extra indulging experience.

By 12pm, the school began functioning again and resumed orientation and registration, which was abruptly cut short a few days ago with the incoming hurricane. BB’s Grill and Sugar Cane Cafe opened up their businesses again, and the school cafeteria began cooking and offering free food to the AUC community. I was pretty excited to eat real food.

Looking back, the past few days had been quite an experience. Arif, Jubin, Peter, Joseph, and I were the few Orientation Advisors who arrived right before the storm who stayed in the shelter. Because of this, we helped out a lot in monitoring and running the shelter. The first night was quite fun and relaxing as we only had 59 people. But by the second night, after the worst part of the storm, many people who stayed off-campus during the storm began arriving onto campus, seeking a shelter with internet access, power, air conditioning, and most importantly, other people. It became increasingly busier for the faculty, staff, and OAs as we tried to document all who are on campus, who are staying, and who are leaving (for liability purposes). With more people, the food had to be replaced faster and the trash accumulated equally as fast. It became more and more difficult finding places for people to sleep. Eventually, we opened up the individual ICM rooms (each which have 2-4 cushioned patient examination tables) for families to stay in. With more people, there were more matters to attend to, and we were constantly on our feet throughout the rest of the evening. Some of the faculty, staff, and OAs had to take shifts sleeping. With teamwork and the special efforts of the faculty and staff of the emergency response team and the OAs, it all worked out in the end.

Now as I write this, I begin my life as a student again tomorrow morning at 8am. Many students have already arrived, and many more will come in tomorrow as their flights were rescheduled. I look forward again to a new semester and a new level of challenge to face.

Here are some photos I took around the neighborhood of the aftermath of Hurricane Earl:

Here is some video footage of the area after Hurricane Earl:

Hurricane Earl

As the center of the storm approached us, Hurricane Earl’s fury heightened, bringing gushing wind and rain across St. Maarten. As Earl decided to slow down and grow in strength, the school decided to open the campus one more night as a shelter. Here is some video footage of Hurricane Earl that I took when it came through AUC.

Shelter

As I counted the islands below me — Andros, Grand Turk, Anegada — I couldn’t imagine that in less than 20 hours, this vast blue ocean and clear sky I see out of my airplane window will soon be engulfed by an encroaching storm. I was flying into Hurricane Earl.

I had spent a wonderful nine days with Irene in Miami over the break and to be honest, I didn’t feel ready coming back to school so soon, but I knew I needed to. Just the night before, I had learned about the upcoming storm, but I was not worried. I had already attended hurricane preparedness meetings earlier last semester and knew the school acted as a shelter for the AUC community during hurricanes every year. Instead, I felt curiosity, as it would be my first hurricane experience on the island. I assured Irene that I’d be safe.

Food from the school hurricane kit

As my plane arrived closer to the island, the clouds became heavier and heavier and after a shaky landing, we arrived in St. Maarten. It was 1:30pm and the weather was not bad. It was a little windier than usual, but it felt good. It was a little uneasy knowing this comfortable breeze was a sign of something much larger coming our way. On the way home, I passed by men nailing boards onto windows in preparation for the storm. On campus, the windows were also boarded up as well.

I had just arrived home after a nine-day absent, and my apartment was humid, dusty and dark. There was no food I could readily eat in my cabinets or fridge, and there was no time to go to the grocery store, if they were even open. Power and water are known to shut down on the island during hurricanes and I did not want to risk being stranded in the dark, the heat, or isolated from other human contact during this event. As I was living alone, I decided it was best if I stayed on the campus shelter during the upcoming hurricane. Together along with 58 of my fellow classmates and many faculty members, I grabbed my pillow, blanket, and toiletries, and headed to campus. It was 5pm, and the rains started pouring.

Hanging out in the Rotunda

I claimed myself a mattress, and Arif and I decided to set up camp in the multipurpose room. As the evening approached, our dinner time approached as well. If you’ve been around this area, you know BB’s Grill is not located under the most stable structure on the island. Surprisingly, we found BB’s still open for business, despite the plastic tarp covering their roof flying in the wind, and the smoke from the barbecue grill blowing all over our faces. They definitely had the monopoly for desperate pre-hurricane meals. It was quite amusing. As the tarp shook and shook more, we decided it would be for our best interest to order our barbecue chicken meals to go.

Watching movies in LH2

Despite us getting food at BB’s, the school also provided “survival kit”-style food and water. I personally was quite excited seeing the Chef Boyardee Beefaronis, the Ramen, canned tuna and sardines. As my BB’s BBQ wore off throughout the night, the school’s food was a life saver for my hunger.

After a question-and-answer meeting about hurricane safety, we had the whole night to do whatever we wanted within the building. Lecture Hall 2 quickly set up to become a movie theater as we projected “How To Train Your Dragon” and “2012″ onto the big screen. It was a double feature. The dean’s office became the accommodations for the faculty and the hurricane safety team. The multipurpose room became the accommodations for those students with pets. There was a student who brought a cat and another who brought a dog. We decided it was OK if they ran free in the room out of their cages. Another couple brought a baby with them to stay in the pet-owner room and interestingly, they decided to keep him in the crib.

Windows all boarded up on campus

I had the pleasure of playing UNO with some upperclassmen friends and meet a lot of new first-semester students as well. Most students on campus right now are first semester students, as most of them arrive earlier to check in. Most upperclassmen come in on Monday as classes for us start on Tuesday. Unfortunately, yet fortunately, due to the weather, many of them are stuck back in the states with their families and loved ones and probably will not get in until Tuesday or Wednesday. Registration is postponed until Tuesday, and the registration late fees are waived. As of now, first day of classes will begin on Wednesday, unless unforeseen climatic circumstances prevents us to do so otherwise.

Even though to me this is just one big fun slumber party, I couldn’t help but think what the new incoming first semester students must be thinking. How crazy it must be to come to a strange island far away from home for the first time and be introduced before anything else, to its most furious. As I write now, I hear the howls of 100-mph winds. It is quite frightening. But being on campus, I feel safe. This building is solid and will be going nowhere.

Miami

So this break, I am staying in Miami with Irene. She had just moved down here last week to start her Physician Assistant master’s degree program at Barry University (which by the way is the same university that our current Dean of Basic Sciences at AUC, Dr. Testa, came from). She’s very excited to start and I’m very excited for her. I had the pleasure of meeting her roommates and some of her new friends (who are all new first semester PA students like Irene), and they are all very nice and focused on doing well in school. I don’t worry about her… I think she’s going to have a great time here and she’s surrounded by good people.

Enjoying fondue with some new friends at the Melting pot

Irene’s program is quite different from my program. There are two campuses for Barry’s PA program, the main one being in Miami and the smaller one being in St. Petersburg, Florida. Because of this they have the St. Petersburg class teleconferenced with the Miami class during their lectures. 70% of their lectures are given by lecturers here in Miami while 30% are given by lecturers in St. Petersburg. Both locations can hear and see each other and the lecturers. In front of each person’s seat is a button and microphone. Whenever a student wants to ask a question in class in either location, they just press the button and talk, and they can be heard in both Miami and St. Petersburg.

In addition, Barry’s PA program has a strict dress code. Irene and her roommates are required to wear business casual everyday to lectures, which means nice shirts and dresses for girls and button-down shirts, khaki pants, and no tennis shoes for guys. Whereas at AUC, the dress is casual in lectures. I usually go to my lectures wearing T-shirts, shorts, and tennis shoes, except, of course, in the lab where I wear scrubs, or in my ICM classes where I wear white coat (and sometimes formal with white coat).

Art Deco District, South Beach

I am quite impressed at Irene’s new home. She now lives in Aventura, Florida, which is one of the nicest places to live in Miami. Her apartment feels like the Ritz Carlton… It’s spacious, has leather couches that recline, large plasma TV, marble floors, flat-topped stoves, and its own washers and driers. The complex has a gated security, fountain, pool, parking deck, tennis courts, and even its own Yacht club! She lives right by a country club golf course, not that far away from a beach, and also close to a really high-end mall (Aventura Mall). Never have I seen so many BMWs and other shiny cars which I don’t know the names of. It’s like she’s living the life of the rich and famous… except she’s paying almost half of what I pay for rent for a much nicer place.

View from Irene's balcony at night

This week, Irene and her roommates have a week-long orientation and tomorrow (Friday) they will have their White Coat Ceremony. While they go to orientation, I stay at home and work on what I have to do. I’ve completed a radiograph catalog for the Anatomy TA program, worked on my Notes page on my website, answered emails from incoming and prospective students (which so far I’ve been getting everyday while I’m on break… I think it’s that time of the year), doing chores for Irene around the house, and shopping for things I need to take back to St. Maarten. Whenever she and her roommates come back home from orientation, we go out together to go shopping, check out the beach, explore the city, or try new restaurants. I’m having a great time so far in Miami. Usually whenever I have a break from school, I make myself even more busy by traveling a lot and doing as much as I can with the little free time that I have. This break, I feel very relaxed because I’ve made no specific travel plans. My only plan is to come see Irene, that’s all, and I like it.

South Beach!

Bayside Marketplace in Downtown Miami

Versace's Mansion in South Beach

Irene and I dining at Gloria Estefan's restaurant in South Beach. Very good Cuban food!

My Expenses

Here is my estimate of how much I will be spending during my time in med school. So far I have been able to live comfortably with U.S. Federal Student Loans. These numbers were quite painful to calculate as I am aware I have to pay back all this money in full after I graduate, but the debt was something I had to accept when I chose my career goals, in the hopes that in the end it will all be worth it.

Disclaimer: These are my personal estimates, based on my own personal spending habits, and therefore not reflective of what other students would pay. Also, like all schools, tuition is subject to change every year.

TUITION

Semesters 1-5: $16,000/semester –> $16,000 x 5 = $80,000 (but I paid $70,500 because of tuition changes + scholarship)
Semesters 6-9: $17700/semester –> $17,700 x 4 = $70,800
Semester 9.5: $8850
Total: $70,500 + $70,800 + $8850 = $150,150

HEALTH INSURANCE

$325/semester –> $325 x 10 = $3250

RENT/UTILITIES

First Semester Dorm: $4200
Island: $1250/month –> $1250 x 12 = $15,000
Fifth Semester Dorm: $4200
US: $800/month –> $800 x 24 = $19,200
Total: $42,600

FOOD

$10/day –> $10 x 365 days x 4 years = $14,600

TRANSPORTATION

$600/semester –> $600 x 11 times = $6600

SUPPLIES

$500

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

$500

LIABILITY INSURANCE

$1500

GRAND TOTAL

$150,150 + $3250 + $42,600 + $14,600 + $6600 + $500 + $500 + $1500 = $219,700

Granulomatous = painful = because forms granulomas

Lymphocytic = painless = because just t-cells.

Grocery Shuttle

For any new first semester students who are interested, there will be a grocery shuttle running between campus, Food Express, and Le Gourmet Marche during the first few days of your arrival. Check it out!

Third Semester Finished!

Grades are out, and I’m happy to say that I have passed all my classes and I am officially finished with third semester and on my way to my fourth semester of med school!

I cannot say this enough times… TIME GOES BY FAST IN MED SCHOOL! I can’t believe I’m a fourth semester already…. it just seems too fast. Wasn’t I just a first semester not too long ago? Just a year ago on this day, I was writing this post. Back then, just ten days before starting med school, I was asking myself two questions: “Should I feel excited or terrified? Will I do well?” At the time, I was not sure. Today, a year later, I have to say, I am still asking those two questions.

Should I feel excited or terrified?
I am two semesters away from taking my USMLE Step I exam and leaving Basic Sciences for my clinical rotations. Every semester I get more and more excited as I get closer and closer to reaching my goal and learning a whole bunch on the way. Yet at the same time, every semester I get more and more terrified as the workload increases incrementally, the number of tasks to juggle at the same time increases, and the time until I take Step 1 can be counted in days. A lot of people want to get done with their five semesters on the island as soon as they can, and I don’t blame them. I too want to finish Basic Sciences in 5 semesters. However, in having this “countdown” mentality, all too often we let the timeless moments pass by, all the good memories and experiences that could have been. I say savor the moments whenever you can, because they will fly by fast and you will easily miss them. I want to leave this island with lots of good memories, and that takes effort on my part. Good memories don’t just come. They are made. So always stay positive.

Will I do well?
This semester, I have done quite a few things:

For the first time, I was an Orientation Advisor, advising incoming students on any questions they have and holding a meeting with them in the beginning of the semester.

I’ve completed my first semester as a Head TA in the Anatomy Lab. As one of the three Head TAs, I manage the lab on my assigned days, prepare for mock exams (my job specifically was the VH dissector questions and checking on the validity of questions made by TAs), be a messenger between Dr. Nash and the TAs, take attendance of the students and the TAs, close up the lab when lab is done, choose the next TAs, give the TA orientation, and make TA certificates. On average, I spend about 6 hours per week in lab.

I’ve completed my two-semester term as a class rep. As one of the three class reps, I raised money for my class, voted “yes” in the induction of two new student organizations, made sure the mosquito problem in our lecture hall is solved, acted as both good cop and bad cop in breaking news to my class, helped set up and ushered the White Coat Ceremony, and suggested ideas for improvement around school at student government meetings.

After discussing with executive board members of the student government on the need for an SGA website and communication platform to bridge basic science and clinical science students , I created The Scope as AUC’s first student-run newsletter.

I’ve acted as a student representative to meet with the ACCM, AUC’s medical education accrediting body on their most recent visit.

I had the privilege to choose the colors for the new Orientation Advisor T-shirts. I hope all you OAs are OK with them! My intention for the color choice was to put the colors of the island into the shirt as well as making the colors as gender-neutral as possible.

I volunteered for the 2010 Commencement Ceremony, and met some wonderful new graduates and people from MEAS (and not to mention got an awesome free T-shirt, dinner, and donation to my favorite student organization along the way).

I was interviewed on camera to become part of the new videos currently being made by the school.

I blogged, and as always, answered several emails every week from prospective and incoming students (with the large incoming September class, there was especially more messages in my Inbox this semester).

I received the Dr. Karl Stockhausen Student of the Semester Award (thanks everyone for that!).

And, most importantly, I passed third semester, which I am so happy with because this semester has been quite a challenge and academically, it has not been my best. I definitely felt there was much more material to learn than second semester. From what I hear from upper semester I talked with, fourth semester will be an even larger jump in challenge than third semester… oh boy. This leads me back to my question… Will I do well? I sure hope so, but this semester hasn’t been easy, and neither will the next.

Advice for new Third Semester students:

Build up your buffer — Some people have the mentality that they can slack off the first block exams since they’ll have four more exams following it to make up their grade. This is not good because the exams do not get any easier as the semester progresses. Actually, quite the opposite. So do well on your blocks in the beginning because it won’t be as easy by the time finals comes around.
Don’t expect curves on the final — There was a rumor that the med micro final is curved every semester. Guess what.. there was no curve (at least not for this semester). For the first time, our class (which I’d say is a fairly smart class) made a failing average on an exam, especially bad since it’s a final exam. Don’t expect curves, and especially don’t depend on an assumed curve to pass.
Take advantage of extra credit points — specifically, do the case studies for Pathology, and finish the extra credit questions on the med micro exams. Just because they are “extra credit” doesn’t mean there’s no value in doing them. Quite the opposite. There will be questions on the pathology exam based on the case studies. If you’ve done the case studies, these exam questions will be easy points. Don’t underestimate the power of a point, or even half a point. It could be the point that saves you from failing.
Enjoy your classes – while the material for third semester may be challenging, and painful, I found it interesting nevertheless. If it’s not to you, make it interesting somehow, because you’ll need any drive it takes to go forward.

I will be staying in Miami over the break visiting Irene. Last week, she moved to Miami to start her Physician Assistant Masters degree program at Barry University (which she will start next week). I’m looking forward to seeing her new home, attending her white coat ceremony, meeting her new friends and roommates, and exploring Miami with her while we still can. It’s funny… we now both live in Aventura. She lives in a suburb of Miami called Aventura while I live in an apartment in St. Maarten called Aventura. We may not live in the same city, or even country, but at least we both refer to the same name for our new homes.

Have an awesome break everyone and see you back on the island in two weeks!

Places to Eat Around AUC

There’s lots of places within walking distance of campus to eat. Here I’ve made a list of them. Most restaurants around campus give student discounts and have student specials after block exams. Just ask.

0-5 minutes walking from AUC

AUC Cafeteria — On Campus — by far the best deal you can find around campus, and even better, it is on campus. It’s easy to come by during the breaks between classes and grab something quick to eat, or you can eat a full-fledged meal. You can get a take-out box overflowing with food from the hot bar for a mere $5 and it can last at least two meals (especially when Paula is serving it). You can order burgers or hot-pressed paninis off the grill, and their crepes are also pretty good, especially the one with nutella and ice cream (which as an aspiring physician I don’t recommend you getting all the time). During pre-block weeks, they offer free coffee, which I am incredibly thankful for this past week studying for finals.

BB’s Grill — Barbecue chicken, ribs, fish-n-chips, pizza, and more. They have a great $5 lunch menu (do I hear competition from the AUC cafeteria?) I personally like the barbecue, and most entrees come with two side dishes, like rice, macaroni salad, or green salad. Their pizza is a little bit different than Pizza Dan’s. It’s smaller, thin-crust, and more expensive, but they have some eclectic toppings you can put on there, like capers, olives, eggs, and anchovies, as well as the usual good-ole pepperoni. Free BB shots after Block exams. I like the live music every Friday. We’ve held a couple of fundraising events at BB’s, like AUC Diversity Council’s Anything-But-Medicine Trivia Night.

Deep Bleu Cafe — The Summit — wonderful place by the water. Burgers, Fries, bar. Try the tuna steak burger… yum. Every Monday after block exams, my friends and I come here for the 2-for-1 Margarita mondays. To get here, just walk into The Summit Resort and follow the signs. It’s NOT the one by the pool. Walk past the pool and you get to a flight of stairs that lead you down to the restaurant, by the lagoon.

Sugar Cane Grill — Atlantis Casino — great place to go to satisfy your late night cravings (or cravings anytime, really). Burgers, Pizza, Ribs, Salad, Pasta.. the usual American foods.

The Espresso Coffee House – They sell all sorts of coffee, espressos, cappucinos, milkshakes, cookies, cakes, salad, soup, wraps, sandwiches. They have nice couches inside and outside to sit on and watch the news or chat with a friend. Medium-sized cappucinos — $3.50. Slices of cake — $2.50. Foot-long sandwich — $6.

Pizza Dan’s — He’s a favorite among students and makes great pizza, from the normal flavors to the more exotic, like curry, ranch, buffalo (sauce, not the beast), or honey pizza. You can also bring him something from your own kitchen to put on your pizza. I know someone who always brings pickles and tells him to put it on. His pizzas are big and can last you two meals at a good price, around $13-16. He’s a few steps up the street from the guard shack and gives student discounts.

Cupecoy Market – After being an unsuccessful grocery store, this place has converted into a deli restaurant, complete with tables for inside or outside dining, while retaining some grocery-store elements. They mainly sell sub sandwiches and they have this great 3-sandwiches-for-2 deal. The subs are huge (probably a little more than a foot long), and you can choose basically anything you want on them, all for $8 a sandwich, and with the 3-for-2 deal plus the AUC discount, you can get more than 3 feet of sandwiches for just $15 or so! Great deal, great sandwiches, nice staff, and highly recommended.

Thai Savanh — Atlantis Casino — Francophied Thai food. A little overpriced in my opinion (even with the AUC discount they give) but good Thai curries and Pad Thai nevertheless.

Creperie – Atlantis Casino — Haven’t been here yet, but I’ve seen their menu and they have both dinner crepes and dessert crepes. I’ll update on the details if I ever get a chance to eat here.

Khush Ultralounge and Tapas Bar – This place is chic. They have dinner, tapas, as well as martinis and other drinks. They offer a discounted special AUC Menu. Earlier in the semester, my class held a fundraising event with Khush.

Rare – Atlantis Casino — Never been here, but I’ve read lots of great reviews about this place from travel magazines. It’s a very nice restaurant, and a great place to take a date. The chef is award winning, and one of my friends told me that they have the best (gourmet) Macaroni and Cheese.

La Gondola — Atlantis Casino — Never been here, but I’m guessing it’s a fancy Italian restaurant. I’ll update on the details if I ever get a chance to eat here.

Manhattan – Atlantis Casino — Never been here, but I know it’s a fancy American-style Steakhouse. I’ll update on the details if I ever get a chance to eat here.

Bella Napoli — Atlantis Casino — Never been here, but I’m guessing it’s another fancy Italian restaurant. I’ll update on the details if I ever get a chance to eat here.

10-15 minute walk from AUC

Oasis Cafe – Ocean Club — My favorite is coming on Wednesdays for the all-you-can-eat BBQ ribs for only $12, but i believe this is only during non-summer months.

Rendez-Vouz Lounge — Porto Cupecoy — This place is a delicatessen, gelateria, and bakery. Their gelato is really good and they have lots of flavors to choose from. The setting is comfortable and casual, and a great place to relax with friends.

Moulin-Fou — Porto Cupecoy — Haven’t been here yet, but it seems fancy. I’ll update on the details if I ever get a chance to eat here.

Maximo Cafe — Porto Cupecoy — Haven’t been here yet, but it seems fancy. I’ll update on the details if I ever get a chance to eat here.

Ernest and Fidel — Porto Cupecoy — Haven’t been here yet, but it seems fancy. I’ll update on the details if I ever get a chance to eat here.

Goodbye Jack

Yesterday, we lost a loved and respected member of the anatomy lab, and the AUC community. Jack van Dijk had been struggling with pancreatic cancer the past few months and passed away on Sunday morning. Most of my class and I who took anatomy in September 2009 (and all the classes before) knew Jack, as he ran the lab and upheld the highest of professionalism and responsibility. The lab hasn’t been the same without him. In his honor, our Anatomy Lab will be renamed the Jack van Dijk Lab, and a plaque will be made.

Goodbye Jack. You will be missed.

If you are around after final exams tomorrow, please come to the memorial service for Jack at 1:30pm in the Rotunda.

The Last Anatomy TAs

Last Tuesday after the fourth block exams, the anatomy TA program held our end-of-the-semester TA dinner, a final celebratory get-together for everyone who have made the Anatomy TA program possible. This semester, we made certificates of recognitions for the 24 TAs who have completed their 2-semester voluntary commitments to the program, and organized the dinner at Bonita’s Cantina in Simpson Bay by the water.

Several TAs showed up as well as many professors, not just from the anatomy department but other departments as well, and we all had a good time.

Next semester, there will be some major restructuring of the Anatomy lab curriculum: The lab manual has been updated, labs will be 2 hours instead of 3, and dry lab will become mandatory. There will now be lists of objectives to be completed by the students in the wet and dry lab, and the TAs will become part of the grading process for the class by making sure they are completed. For the first time, the use of prosections (and eventually plastinations) will be incorporated into the curriculum in addition to the usual forceps-and-scalpel dissection by students. The TAs will be preparing the prosections, with the opportunity to become certified in dissection (Dr. N has the license to grant certificates). The title TA will also be changed to Demonstrator, which is the proper international term for those with our position. Haley, Arif, and I will be among the last Anatomy TAs and first Anatomy Demonstrators.

Looking forward, I only wish the best for the Anatomy TA program, and hope these changes will make our program stronger, help students learn the material better, and give all of us more opportunities. Becoming a “Certified Dissector” sure sounds cool, doesn’t it?

Thanks Laura for these wonderful pictures from the dinner!

My closest friends on the island!

Head Anatomy TAs, Summer 2010

007, 008, and 009

Haley and the Yin-Yangs!