Island Med Student

Some of you might be sick of hearing me go on and on about how grateful I am to all of my friends, family, and Internet buddies. Well, suck it up, because I’m not finished yet.

Check out the above photo! How cool is that?! That was sent to me by Elizabeth, a wonderful fellow Rossie who took time out of her busy day studying in Dominica to drink a dedicated coconut in my name!

I have received wonderfully thoughtful donations from many folks. I’ve received countless emails and comments from people all over the world. That makes me one lucky gal, indeed!

Anyway, I just wanted to again express my gratitude to all of you! I had to delay my celebratory oysters for a few days, due to lack of funds (takes time to transfer the donations) and my partner Micah being sick. But the transfers have gone through and Micah is feeling much better, so I will hopefully be going out to my favorite oyster bar tonight to enjoy the fruits (oyster meat!) of my four years of labor in medical school.

The second photo was sent to me by my sister. Isn’t that one sexy doggy?!

Okay, so the title of this post is very misleading. I am attending Ross University School of Medicine, and I would like the world to know that I have had a very positive experience with Ross thus far. I have never regretted my decision to attend a Caribbean medical school. But I’ll admit that I am also a “chronic optimist.” I tend to always see the glass as half full, and I very rarely complain about things. However, I receive emails all the time from people who want to know the “dirt” on Caribbean schools. And I received an email a few days ago from a student who asked me to list the “top 10″ things that I don’t like about Ross (in order of importance). This will be a very hard list to create. But here goes:

1) The stigma. As I’ve said many times, there is obviously a stigma associated with attending a Caribbean medical school. However, I must say that I have found this to rarely be a problem (again, my darn optimism!).

2) The large class size. Yes, Ross accepts many students every semester. And for some people, this makes it challenging to “be heard.” But again, I will say that this has never been a negative for me. I’ve almost always found that I’ve gotten the attention I needed…but that leads me to number three.

3) Scheduling clinical rotations can be challenging. Because of our class size, and because of the fact that there are limited clinical spots for us students, it can sometimes be difficult to get individualized attention, and the “best” spots available. But all in all, I must say that I have been “mostly” satisfied with my scheduling, and most of my rotations.

4) The cost. This might be the worst thing that I can complain about. Ross’s tuition and fees is on par with the more expensive U.S. medical schools. And when you add on the additional costs related to traveling, the price really adds up. If I have one regret, it is the astounding amount of student loan debt that I’m facing.

5) Living in Dominica. This one is really difficult for me to count as a negative. For me, this was one of the TOP reasons for choosing Ross. I was truly excited about living in Dominica. But for those people who can’t appreciate the beauty of this wonderful country, I guess they count it as a drawback.

6) There isn’t really a “home base.” Since you spend a portion of your time in Dominica, and then the rest at various sites in the U.S., it can sometimes feel a little discombobulating. For me, this was actually a great advantage. But for others, it can be unpleasant.

7) It’s difficult to place into competitive residencies. Yes, it’s harder for Ross grads (or other non-AMG grads) to place into more competitive residencies. But the reality is that you CAN place, and it does happen. But you may need to work harder and have a better CV than your AMG counterparts.

8 ) Not enough administrative guidance. Since we really don’t have a solid “home base” and because there are so many of us, it can be difficult at times to get good guidance from the school. Although, I’d say in my experience, I have been mostly satisfied with the response I’ve received.

9) Having to repeat semesters. Many people complain about the fact that if you fail one class by even one point, you must repeat the entire semester. While I can understand and appreciate this complaint, I also understand Ross’s policy. If you are struggling with even one class, it means that you really need to get a better hold on your studying routine, and try again.

10) It ain’t Harvard. Nuff said.

Sorry if you were expecting better complaints, but I am just not a good complainer!

Note: I actually had to google “Ross Sucks” and go onto ValueMD to come up with this list!

I received a wonderful email today from a fellow Ross student. She apparently adopted a puppy in Dominica, as did I. And it just so happens that he looks exactly like my doggy, Scope! His name is Snoopy, and because of the small and incestuous population of doggies in Dominica, I’m sure that they are closely related. Below are the photos. Can you tell which ones is Scope and which one is Snoopy?!

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Yesterday was a great day. I started the morning off with a nice run into Manhattan and back. After catching up on a few errands, Micah and I decided to go visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art to check out the Robert Frank exhibit. It ended up being a bit disappointing but all was well because we also checked out the Surface Tension exhibit, which I thoroughly enjoyed. There was one piece, which I was particularly fond of. I can’t remember the name of the artist, but he was Italian, and he took little glass slides and pressed them up to every single inch of his body and took photographs of each. He then assembled the photos into a somewhat random sequence for the installed piece. Very nice!

From the Met’s description of Surface Tension:

“Photographs are often perceived as transparent windows onto a three-dimensional world. Yet photographs also have their own material presence as physical objects. Contemporary artists who exploit this apparent contradiction between photograph as window and photograph as object are featured in Surface Tension. The exhibition presents 30 works that play with the inherent tension between the flatness of the photograph and the often lifelike illusion of depth. Surface Tension highlights the ways in which artists use photographic and multi-media techniques to direct our attention to the physical surface of the photograph. Among the works featured are photographs that have been purposely scratched, burned, or painted on, as well as photograms made by placing objects directly on top of a sheet of photographic paper.”

Micah and I walked around Manhattan for a bit afterwards. There were quite a few people out and about. I saw Christmas trees being installed, and there were many Christmas lights up all over the town, including one building that was pretty much covered in them. I’m not a huge fan of Christmas decorations, but I did enjoy looking at all the twinkling lights.

I have this entire week off, which is super nice. I might be going down to Baltimore today or tomorrow, and then I’m going to spend Thanksgiving day at my parents’ farm in Virginia.

Enjoy the photos with this post. A “Dominican Bakery” sign at my subway stop (NOT DominEEcan), the Christmas tree in the Met, and a statue in the lobby of the Met.

Check out my post on Medscape to see a fun comparison of my life now to my life when I first started med school.

Click Here To View the Entry

I enjoyed my day of anesthesiology today. I got to help out on two cases: a TAH BSO and an emergency tracheostomy on an awake patient.

I just got an invitation to Ross University’s chapter of Physician for Human Rights’s (I used to be the president and webmaster) annual Thanksgiving dinner for the Grange Home for the elderly in Dominica. Oh, how I wish I could attend. I am proud to the max that I was the impetus for this event 2 years ago. It makes me happy to no end to know that the tradition is being continued!

Please enjoy the three photos in this post: 2 wall murals taken in Bushwick yesterday, and a pic from the current generation of PHR’s folks at the Grange.

“Yo Brooklyn, Fuhgeddaboudit” Photo Series

It’s official! I have finished another week of radiology and studying for the Step 2 CK. I just finished taking another NBME practice exam. I scored 8 points higher than the first one! Woot! I think this means that my studying is paying off and working well. So, I’m going to stick to my current study schedule/plan.

Tonight I might be going to a free gallery/exhibit opening within walking distance of my place (at the Third Ward). We shall see. I still have some laundry to finish up. And as always, I need to clear out my email inbox.

Anyway, enjoy the photo above. It’s me drinking a “Paulina Sunrise” in Dominica. Ahh, how I miss the beach and fruity drinks!

Please do check out Calibishie Cove if you are looking for a naturally beautiful place to stay in Dominica!

Our property provides a luxurious indoor-outdoor experience. The breeze on our site is fabulous, and we designed the windows and doors with louvers to maximize airflow. As a result, you also hear the sound of the waves crashing below, and the occasional forest bird. We embrace this concept and it is what makes us special. Those who are looking for a hermetically-sealed Holiday Inn experience are not our target market, but people looking for a uniquely beautiful, natural experience that captures the beauty of Dominica will be very happy with our property, as our Trip Advisor reviews will attest.

I’ve received quite a few emails asking about whether or not Ross, and Dominica in general, is gay friendly. So, I thought it might be helpful to post an entry about it. Keep in mind that I can only provide you with information based on my, and my friends’ personal experiences. I’m sure different people have had their own different experiences. This is simply what I know.

First I will address Dominica.

I would not call Dominica a “gay friendly” country. However, I wouldn’t necessarily call it a “gay unfriendly” country, either. For the most part, Dominicans are very laid back and friendly people. They are generally very accepting and non-judgmental. However, Dominica has a fairly large religious population. I don’t think homosexuality is welcomed by “most” people. There are no gay bars or restaurants, that I am aware of. I personally knew a few gay Dominicans, but the majority of them were not very public about this. I also worked with the AIDS population while in Dominica, and I know that most of the men who came in were very sensitive about not revealing their HIV+ status, because of the stigma associated with AIDS and homosexuality (whether or not they were actually gay).

So, my general recommendation would be to not worry so much about living in, or visiting Dominica if you are gay. However, I would keep in mind that it’s not completely accepted. You have to “feel” out the specific area that you are in. Something as simple as holding hands might be viewed negatively in some areas, and by some people. If in doubt, try to be discrete and avoid “public displays of affection.” If you are a couple and are trying to get a hotel room, you might want to ask for two beds, to be on the safe side. (Of course, you can then do what you want with the beds!)

I’ve never heard of any actual hate crimes against gay people in Dominica. But my guess is there have probably been a few in its history (as you would find in most countries!) My understanding is that Jamaica is probably the worst Caribbean country for gay people (I’ve heard bad horror stories). I’ve heard that St. Barts is the most gay friendly Caribbean island. I would guess that Dominica is somewhere in between.

What about Ross being gay friendly?

From my experience, Ross is a very gay friendly school and campus. I’ve never seen or heard of any bad stories related to gay folks at Ross. Personally, I’ve seen quite a lot of acceptance from the vast majority of the students. There might be the occasional religious fanatic student who is homophobic, but I’ve never met them. We have a powder puff football game every semester where the girls play against each other (actually, I’m not a fan of this, for other reasons), and some of the guys usually dress up as cheerleaders. No one seems to care. (Some of them are gay, and some of them are straight. My point is just that people accept this. I know that there are people out there who think that a man wearing a dress is gay. Of course, I don’t. But I’m just using it as an example.)

I’ve known quite a few gay folks at Ross, and as far as I have known, they’ve never experienced any very bad experiences or discrimination. When I was president of Ross Physicans for Human Rights (PHR), we showed a documentary about a transgendgered couple, and I recieved a lot of support from students. There was also talk of starting a PHR LGBT branch, and I know another guy who was going to start a separate LGBT club. I’m not sure if it ever became an official club, but the fact that there were so many people who wanted to support it, proves that the demand is definitely there.

So, what’s my advice in general? I would absolutely recommend Ross and Dominica for any LGBT (or other!) person. However, I would also recommend being “smart” about being openly gay in some venues. You have to “test the waters,” (pun intended) and just be safe about things, as you would in a small town that you’re unfamiliar with in the States.

That’s all I can think of for now. As always, please comment or email me if you have anything to add, or if you have more questions!

Note: Photos are from D.C. pride celebrations in 2005 and 2006. Photo credit: Micah Walter

I’ve been meaning to write this blog post for sometime. I’ve received many emails asking me about bringing a dog to Dominica, as well as adopting one while in Dominica. Here are some answers to FAQs:

1) Should I bring my doggy to Dominica?

If you can’t see yourself living without your doggy (or other pet), then I would bring them with you to Dominica. It is absolutely do-able, and I know many people who have. Is it easy? Not entirely, but it’s possible. You will have to keep in mind that you will be very busy studying for many hours at a time. If you absolutely MUST study at the library, or on campus, you might want to re-think. If you can study at home, and be around to walk and take care of your dog, then it’s going to be much easier on you and the doggy.

2) How do I get my doggy to Dominica?

Well, first of all, you have to go to a vet and get a clean bill of health, as well as a list of all their vaccinations. I’m not sure of the complete list, but I know rabies is required. It’s likely that they already have all of their required vaccinations. You can bring your dog via American Airlines or Amerijet. There may be other ways, but I am not aware of them. American Airlines has a weight restriction, and other rules. You can read about them all here. Amerijet is a cargo plane, and is good for larger dogs (or if you are traveling in the hotter months, as it is air conditioned.) This is what I used to get my doggies home from Dominica, and it worked very well. You can read more about Amerijet’s policies here.

3) Do I need to bring dog supplies with me to Dominica?

Yes, some of them. In Dominica, you can find the common types of dog food (I know they have Pedigree), but if your pet requires any special type of food, you might want to consider bringing it with you or getting it shipped. As for treats, I was able to find “some” (dog biscuits, some Beggin Strips, etc.) but not “all” the variety that you can find in the States. If your dog has special needs, again, I would bring the treats with you. You can find some doggy supplies like leashes, bowls, toys, and other things. However, don’t expect the variety that you’re used to finding in the States. Bring what you have with you.

4) Will my doggy be okay in Dominica?

There is no reason that your dog will not be fine living in Dominica. You will find the same doggy hazards there, as you would in the States. All the same rules apply. Don’t leave your dog out in the heat. Don’t leave your dog tied up on a leash outside. Don’t let your dog run around without a leash (except for special circumstances). If you follow the same rules that you would normally follow, your doggy will be fine.

5) Will it be difficult to bring my dog back and forth to the States?

It won’t be a barrel of fun. However, it is possible. I opted to leave my dogs in Dominica when I left for vacations. There are plenty of folks who stay on the island, and I’m sure you can find some nice people (as I did) to take care of your doggy while you’re gone. Or, you can deal with the hassle and ship them back and forth.

6) Can I adopt a dog while in Dominica?

Sure! I adopted two! You will immediately notice that there are TONS of stray dogs running around in Dominica. If you have enough love in your heart to adopt one, and you’re willing to take on the extra responsibility that comes with doggy adoption, then do it! The doggies will be happy to have a new, loving home.

7) If I adopt a Dominican dog, what will I have to do to bring it back with me?

Basically, you have to go through the same steps that you would to bring one into Dominica. You need to get your dog fully vaccinated. (There is a vet, and a vet tech in Dominica who can provide you with all the proper vaccinations. Make sure you ask for documentation when you get them.) A few weeks before you leave, you have to get the vet to sign a clean bill of health (they come and inspect your doggy), and then you bring that with you to the airport. You can use American Airlines or Amerijet to get them off the island.

Okay, that’s all I can think of for now! If you have more questions, let me know, and I will add them to the list!