I’d like to outline my current involvement in various spheres, as it will help readers to understand some of my interests, and provide a framework for some of the topics that will arise in future blog entries.

Commitments in medical school
*Specialization in underserved medicine:
There are too many people who are dying because they don’t have a doctor to care for them, or a doctor who cares.  I care, and I especially care for those who are often forgotten in our society – the poor, the non-citizens, the elderly, to name a few.  So when I learned of the opportunity to be a part of an innovative curriculum that trains students to be compassionate physicians for the medically underserved through inner-city, rural, and international clerkships, I jumped at the chance.  This program really takes off in my clinical years (and I am excited to begin sharing my experiences as I enter rotations in July), but in the meantime, this commitment to the underserved is something that I maintain as my raison d’être in medicine, the inspiration that keeps me going even through the tough parts.
*Volunteer at sliding-scale clinic:
This is one of those commitments where I have probably felt the least confident, not because of a lack of experience with uninsured/underinsured patients and many of the associated issues, but because my mentor has challenged me to test my clinical skills, which are still often tentative and uncertain.  As a pre-clinical student, the intensive curriculum demands a focus on the intellectual knowledge we must cultivate, with less room for honing our hands-on technique on a regular basis.  I am facing a fear through my time at this clinic, shadowing and assisting the physician, but also leaning on my natural abilities in health education to spearhead a complementary diabetes program that is greatly needed to enhance the care of many patients.
*Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Allies:
It should be obvious at this point that I have a special sensitivity and need to reach out to those who are medically vulnerable.  While this normally calls to mind the poor and uninsured members of our society, financial barriers are not the only obstacle to care in our country.  The LGBT community experiences a great deal of prejudice on the part of health care providers, and insufficient training and insensitivity lead to low-quality health care.  As such, many LGBT individuals do not seek regular health care, which can be compounded with many other biopsychosocial issues that arise with the difficulty of being non-heterosexual in a heterosexist world.  I strive to increase awareness about this issue and campaign for more intensive training of our medical students to be able to better serve this population in the future.
*American Medical Women’s Association:
It’s hard to believe that female physicians used to be a minority (although in many highly specialized fields, they still are).  Still, there are many challenges that are faced by women in medicine even today, and there is great value in creating a community of women in our field to support one another and address these challenges.  I joined the executive board of this organization to organize awareness events and service activities and help amplify the voice of my female peers.
*Family Medicine Interest Group:
It is no secret that primary care is a hurting area in medicine, and the reasons for that will undoubtedly be explored in future entries.  I knew I wanted to go into medicine to fill a need, and I knew I would be able to fulfill that goal by being a generalist.  I became a leader in the FMIG to help others understand this need and feel called to this specialty, as well. How wonderful to be able to provide care from the “womb to the tomb”.  More on this later.
*American Medical Association:
I serve as a student liaison to the physicians of the local medical society, promoting communication between physicians and physicians-in-training.  I think that the gap that often exists between these two groups is unfortunate.  Students have a lot they can learn from those who have been in the field for awhile, but they also have wonderful and innovative ideas to share to encourage progress and important change in medicine where needed.
*School ambassador:
I have very positive feelings towards my medical school, and feel called to roles that can share this perspective with prospective students and also to help facilitate a positive experience for current students.  To that end, I am an extremely enthusiastic tour guide, a fearless student representative on the committee for c/o 2012 student affairs, and have very much enjoyed serving as an interviewer for applicants, orientation leader for new students, and tutor for existing students.
*Council of health professions students:
We are all in this together.  Doctors, nurses, techs – we have different educational backgrounds, but we are all in the field of medicine to help others get well and stay well.  And a positive work environment that promotes collaboration (NOT competition) between different health care providers helps to ensure a higher caliber of care for  patients.  I feel so strongly about this that I joined a student council that promotes camaraderie between the different schools of medicine on our university campus, through social and community service events.

Other things I do
*Scholarship Foundation Advisory Board:
These people helped make my college education possible, so I am doing what I can, along with the help of my tech-savvy boyfriend, to help make the foundation stay current, innovative, and sustainable.
*Vagina Monologues
I was starving for a creative outlet and more strong community with women, so I auditioned for Eve Ensler’s play based on the stories of women around the world.  I was blessed with a tiny part, which has removed the stress of adding further memorization to my routine as a medical student, and allowed me to focus on the more awesome part of getting to know an amazing group of women and collaborate on vital activist projects to combat violence against women.
*Unitarian Universalism
I discovered UU in my college years and it’s the best home I’ve found spiritually, which has allowed me the freedom to explore my faith without guilt but instead with a healthy curiosity.  While I don’t attend services as often as I’d like, it’s an important base for me to navigate my spiritual compass as I mosey forward on that journey in my life.
*NIA
I hadn’t experienced such a personally affirming and holistic approach to physical health and energy since I had been a yoga student at Gilda’s Club in the wake of my bereavement for my mother.  NIA is an integrative exercise modality that draws from the martial arts, dance, and healing arts.  I always leave NIA class with a feeling of revitalization and a renewed attitude to confront life’s challenges.  Amazing!
*I am grateful to be doing more reading and writing these days – good for reflection, expression, and creativity.
*I’m doing my darnedest to maintain alive relationships with my five siblings and their beautiful children.
*I am living with the love of my life, who is thankfully quite accommodating my self-induced chaotic lifestyle, but definitely lets me know when I’m pushing the limit and need to reset my balance beam.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, I tend to frame myself in terms of what I do – but that’s because I consider myself an activist in many spheres, and I find great value in the doing.  Still, I know that that is only one aspect of my identity, and as this blog progresses, I will explore more about my values, my goals, and my inner self as it influences my life as a healer-in-training.