A Doctor's Touch

The life of a doctor is filled with new people, new patients. Every person encountered has their own hopes, dreams, dissapointments, and problems.  When I was an undergraduate student and volunteering @ a free health clinic (Health for Friends) in Norman, OK,  I worked with a doctor who taught me an invaluable lesson. She explained to me that every patient needs attention, "Don't be afraid to lay a hand on their shoulder" she said.  There is healing in physical touch.

Each physical exam we perform is a ritual between doctor and patient that has been done for ages. In this ritual there lies hope, trust, and vulnerability. 

Abraham Verghese would agree. Check out his TED talk here:

A special thanks to friend and colleague, Dr. Melissa Ordenes in Miami, Florida for passing it along!

Superstorm Sandy Medical Volunteer Opportunities

New York City was hit hard by Sandy. Cheers to NYU for a successful hospital evacutation.

See below for ways to help.

NYC Medical Reserve Corps:
Due to damage resulting from Hurricane Sandy, there is an immediate need for licensed or certified health professionals to volunteer at New York City shelters, including physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, physicians, physician assistants, and licensed mental health providers.

Please register for the NYC Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) on line at: www.nyc.gov/medicalreservecorps.

(Membership in MRC provides indemnification under General Municipal Law section 50K against malpractice for all activities with MRC)

American Red Cross:
http://www.redcross.org/templates/render/render.jsp?pageId=11400031&scode=RSG00000E017&subcode=paiddonationsbrand&gclid=CJTriOS9zLMCFcRa4AodRjoAhA

HOSPITALstyle supports all of those who have already helped out! You all rock.

Mistakes that Doctors Make

This is an amazing TED talk by Dr. Brian Goldman about medical culture and the presence of mistakes in medicine. I applaud his direct and humble chat on the subject.

Warby Parker

Buy a pair. Give a pair.

(also great for night shifts)

www.warbyparker.com

South Africa: Trauma Elective

 

Elective: Trauma
Location: Cape Town
Hospital: Tygerberg (University of Stellenbosch)
Affiliate: University of Cape Town Emergency Medicine
http://www.emergencymed.co.za/

Trauma: Tygerberg Hospital

This experience was amazing. I spent the month of March living in Cape Town, South Africa.  I lived in Camps Bay just below the Twelve apostles and Table Mountain National Park. I went running on old Jeep Trails and hiking on Table Mountain.

 I worked nights in the trauma front room @ Tygerberg which received all traumas including stab wounds, gun shot wounds, motor vehicle accidents, burn victims.

Many cases came from the nearby township: Khayelitsha.

I also spent some time working in the township itself.  A brand new hospital (Khayelitsha District Hospital) within the township was opened in February 2012.

 

I was very impressed with the South African medical system. The trauma surgeons and EM residents that I worked with were very competent and their patients received high quality care rooted in ATLS standards.

 

with my friend Khalid (an EM resident @ Univ. of Cape Town)

The sheer volume of cases was great for learning: Intubations. Central Lines. Chest Tubes.

The Emergency Medicine service offers the opportunity to participate in transport medicine on the helicopters and in the ambulances.

Khayelitsha District Hospital

It was in my opinion a dream location for an elective.

Khayelitsha

 

I made some great friends that I hope to keep in contact with for years to come.

I had experiences that will stay with me throughout my medical career.

I fell back in love with medicine South Africa.

website: http://www.trauma.org/index.php/resources/elective/352/
contact: Rachel Pullen crp@sun.ac.za

A reason to celebrate: glassybaby

Our days are filled with moments. Working in a hospital is a constant reminder of how precious our moments can be. Each day is a blessing and a chance to make the world better. Live. Laugh. Love. Dream. Do. Smile.

The many moments between milestones are worth a celebration.

The ones that lead us to: Finishing MCAT. Getting into medical school. Passing USMLE 1. Passing USMLE 2. Graduating. Matching into a residency. Passing USMLE 3. Graduating. Passing Boards. Fellowship. Graduating. And all the engagements, weddings, children, birthdays, and holidays in between.

I recently stumbled upon glassybaby.  Started by Lee Rhodes, cancer survivor, who found her healing in glass. She and her company has since made $884,825.24 in contributions from sales. 

http://www.glassybaby.com/home.aspx


Used as cocktail glasses for parties (and even rented for events).
Used as candle holders, etc.


Next time you have something worth celebrating, check out glassybaby. celebrate and bring goodwill to others at the same time. 


Cheers to you and your moments.

Life-saving iphone App

When an emergency happens, usually you go to the nearest hospital. However, not all people realize that certain hospitals are better than others for strokes, heart attacks, trauma etc.


There is a new iphone app that is a MUST download for 2012.
The Emergency Medical Center Locator.

EMCL allows you to find the best centers in over 100 countries that specialize in cardiac, stroke, pediatric, eye and burn cases.

 Check out more information in the article featured in USA Today.

http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/healthyperspective/post/2011-12-29/an-app-that-could-save-your-life/593663/1

Don't forget to tell your friends, family, and patients to download this new life-saving app.

BLOW IT OUT

It is that time of year to treat yourself and your hair. If you make it out of the hospital for a holiday party, try and schedule an appointment at BLOW. This amazing blow dry bar in NYC will transform you into a scrub wearing slob to an urban sophisticate.

Check out there website here: http://blowny.com/index.php

Cheers to looking fabulous on your night out!

A Doctor/Patient Relationship

Yesterday:

Tyler, Megan, Shane

Patient waits for Doctor.
Doctor becomes Doctor.
Doctor meets Patient.

Patient waits for Doctor.
Doctor studies hard.
Doctor stays late.

Patient waits for Doctor.
Doctor sleeps at hospital.
Doctor helps Patient.

Dr. Pardee

Patient waits for Doctor.
Doctor diagnoses Patient.
Doctor comforts Patient.


 

One Day:

Patient waits for Doctor.
Doctor goes to hospital.
Doctor now is Patient?

Patient waits for Doctor....

http://www.pardeetime.org/

Amanda Russell Workout

 If you are like me, your day off decision goes something like this... Exercise or catch up on sleep? Well now you can do BOTH, just take it from my dear friend (and former roommate) fitness guru Amanda Russell.

 

A Note from Amanda:
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EVERYONE is busy right? Well, I've come to learn that 'busy' is a very relative term.

You see, I had the opportunity to live with my best friend while she was going through medical school and later residency -- this has forever altered what I call 'busy'.  

I've seen firsthand what the medical community goes through and how mentally and physically draining their hours of labor are (and the respect I have for you is indescribable)! BUT, I think one of the BEST things you can do for yourself is squeeze in a 'quickie' - a workout that is! All you need is 15 minutes and yourself! 

And yes with an intense workout like this, it's better than most hour long workouts, plus it will rejuvenate you and get you into stellar shape so you'll be the hottest doctor on the floor :)

For more like these, SUBSCRIBE to my channel and tune in for all kind of busy person workouts, recipes and tricks and tips!    

Trauma Experience Wanted

Whether you are at a Level 1 Trauma Center or at a community program there is always more to learn in the Trauma Bay. Each day our patients teach us how to be better people and better physicians.

There is a great list of international trauma electives on  www.trauma.org

Make sure you book well in advance as these spots are snatched up early.

I will be heading to Cape Town, South Africa to work with their TRAUMA team at Tygerberg Hospital in the coming months and will keep you updated on the experience. In the meantime, check them out for yourself as your ADVENTURE in medicine continues...

Cape Town, South Africa

Tygerberg Hospital

DOCTOR made Halloween Costumes

HALLOWEEN is just around the corner.

If you are in a pinch for a costume here are some quick HOSPITALstyle worthy last minute costume ideas:

MAD SURGEON: crazy make-up. surgical gown and mask. walk around with shears

TRAUMA patient: use a patient gown, neck brace and some bandages and ketchup/red paint/lipstick for blood. You can even make a splint for yourself for one of your arms.

 
XRAY: most are now digitalized, but you can put a white sheet of paper or some sort of battery powered light behind an XRAY (old school) if there are any laying around and connect it over your shoulders to one in the back. Can even wear scrubs under this...

The nurse costume is also a never fail option...

 Or add your dog to the medical team.

When in doubt, just wear your scrubs.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN from HOSPITALstyle!

Store your Bike with Style

Finding the perfect place for your bike is difficult. Especially when you live in New York City. Check out this fabulous way to store your bike in a stylish way.

The Bike Shelf: 300.00

http://www.theknifeandsaw.com/KSItemDetail.php?PC=2&II=2

Fear of Needles?

We did not go into medicine to conquer our fear of needles. However, if you are like me somewhere along the way the fear develops. In caring for patients with HIV, Hep C and other blood borne illnesses there develops a certain level of risk when placing IV lines. We have all had co-workers who have suffered needle sticks. It does happen - and more often than we would like.

Dr.Dieterich

It also happened to Dr. Douglas Dieterich (Director of Outpatient Hepatology) at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Years ago, as a third year medical student he contracted Hepatitis C from a needle stick and subsequently made treating Hepatitis his life's passion. He has succeeded and has cured his own illness and countless others.

Check out the New York Times feature on him here:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/from-needle-stick-to-cure-for-hepatitis/?ref=health

Well done!

Savage Beauty: Alexander McQueen

In case you missed the amazing exhibit at the Met this Summer, you can still check out the Alexander McQueen exhibit that drew more than 660,000 visitors this summer. This turnout has made it one of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's 10 post popular exhibits.

Curator Andrew Bolton created the exhibit to reveal the imagination and artistic dominance associated with fashion genius McQueen.

If your hospital call schedule did not allow for you to see the exhibit, check it out here:

The exhibit was utterly amazing. The lines were long. The people were many. The best museum exhibit I have ever seen. Cheers from HOSPITALstyle to McQueen and the amazing imagery and imagination he brought to the runway.

Favorite Travel Accessory: Nomad Scarf

If you are like me, then you always carry a jacket in case of cold temperatures, anywhere you go. In the heat of summer, all restaurants and office buildings and subways crank up the air conditioning to offset the elevated outdoor temperatures. I was recently given a FLUXUS. Nomad scarf as a gift (Thanks Aunt Mary) and am proclaiming it my favorite travel accessory.

Jude Law and his Nomad Scarf

Fluxux's tag line is There is life, there is art, and in between is fashion. Well I couldn't agree more. This fashionable scarf to be paired with any shirt/blazer, can be wrapped as a skirt and can even double as a picnic blanket. I love to use it for flights in defense of the cold air or as a soft pillow once on board. It is perfect for any season. Pair it with your scrubs on the way into the hospital for an added bit of style to your daily commute.

Nomad scarf
Price: 48.00
http://fluxusbrand.com/

It is a HOSPITALstyle approved accessory that is a must have for your wardrobe. Even Jude would agree.

Guide to Summer in New York City

Summer is here and that means lots time in the sun getting that perfectly sun kissed skin that has been missing all winter. Days out of the HOSPITAL should be cherished and well spent. Summer in New York City is one of my favorite things ever! People are out, Central Park is full of picnics, and Rooftop bars are the place to be. Take a look at some of my personal favorites...

A couple of my favorite spots that are MUST visits for Summer 2011:

The Peninsula Hotel Salon de Ning (700 5th avenue)
http://www.peninsula.com/New_York/en/Dining/Salon_de_Ning/default.aspx

The Standard Biergarten (848 Washington Street)
http://www.standardhotels.com/new-york-city/bars/biergarten/

The Frying Pan (W. 26th street @ Hudson River)
http://www.fryingpan.com/

La Birreria (200 5th Avenue) Mario Batali rooftop beer garden atop EATALY.
http://eatalyny.com/eat/birreria

Habana Outpost (757 Fulton Street Brooklyn, NY)
http://www.cafehabana.com/

** FEATURED SUMMER SPOT 2011

Willie Wall's

The “Honorable William Wall” is the floating clubhouse of Manhattan Sailing Club.  

 -Anchored in New York Harbor just and north of Ellis Island.  

 -Great views of the sailboat races and skyline.  

-Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings from 5:30 p.m. until close (usually around 10 p.m.) and on Saturdays from 1 to 9 p.m

-Transportation is provided by Admiral’s Launch.  The launch departs from North Cove -Dock F every 1/2 hour.  The departure times are: 5:30 p.m., 6:00, 6:30. 7:00, 7:30, etc.   There is a $10 launch fee for guests (round trip).

For more Summer Fun check out:

www.bookreportnewyork.com

and download their PDF Summer Guide 2011. 

This summer bring your HOSPITALstyle outside to play...See you in the SUN!

Stories from the ER: The Joplin Tornado Experience

Being from Kansas I grew up around Tornadoes. Now that I am a New York City gal, I seem so far from a world filled with basements and Tornado Sirens...

St. John's Regional Medical Center

My heart goes out to all those affected.

Check out this amazing link where you can read about one ER doctor's experience during the Joplin Tornado. Well worth it!

 http://www.mercy.net/joplin/stories-of-mercy/45-seconds

Congrats to Dr. Kevin Kitka for a job well done! HOSPITALstyle gives two thumbs up!

International Medical Elective In Thailand

My good friend and Chief Resident just did an elective in Bangkok, Thailand. She is someone who very much embodies what HOSPITALstyle is all about; class, professionalism, healthcare lifestyle, and all around good doctoring. She shares her amazing experiences with us. A bit longer than the usual post, but well worth the read! This is what she writes...

ENTER DR. JULIA SUN LEE-
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Buddha at Ayyuthaya

Being in a four year emergency medicine residency program has its benefits, despite what naysayers might have to offer. One of those benefits is being able to schedule electives into your curriculum that are catered to your interests. Luckily, for me, I was able to set up an international emergency medicine rotation in Bangkok, Thailand at Mahidol University, Ramathibodi Hospital during my PGY-IV year. This came as a follow-up to my PGY-III year elective rotation at Nahr-Bita Hospital in Ghana, West Africa.  

Having a background in Public Health with a focus on Global Environmental Health, I felt that taking the opportunity to schedule a few international electives during my residency training would afford me an invaluable resource in allowing me to connect clinical pathology with what I had learned in my textbooks.  Not only that, but I was able to travel halfway around the world to practice medicine, interact with the locals and cultivate my experiences with the cultures I had previously only read about.  

It was truly a life-changing experience, and one that I would recommend to all who have the chance to do so. 

Ramathibodi Hospital

  This past April, I spent a month working in the Accident and Emergency Center at Ramathibodi Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. The purpose of my elective was to witness the development and advances of the Thai emergency medicine residency program, which is only 5 years old, and to learn about the patient population & pathology that fills their ED.  

After a very long flight with very little sleep, I ventured into the wards of the unfamiliar hospital, confused by the writing and the dialect that awaited me. 

I was surprised to find out that most of the Thai residents and attendings spoke English of varying aptitude, and every single one of them were willing to translate or explain the Thai charting/documentation and presentations to me.  Lectures were often presented in Thai, but written in English allowing me to follow the topics easily. 

Ramathibodi Hospital

The hospitality of the residents and staff was almost overwhelming: from taking me to pray at the Buddhist Temples in the city of Ayyuthaya, to a night time venture in Yaowarat (the Bangkok China Town), to the numerous medical procedures done in the ED – everyone was always helping me to understand their approach and keep me a part of the team. 

I was able to attend their Simulation Labs, perform bedside procedures, run microscopy tests, visit the Thailand Red Cross Center and Queen Saowapha Memorial Institute, (formerly the Pasteur Institute) Snake Farm where anti-venin is harvested.  

Dr. Julia Sun Lee (third from left)

I experienced the Thai culture, not as a tourist, but from a Thai native’s perspective and in this setting, it was quite easy to form friendships quickly in such an environment. After only 2 weeks, a first year resident invited me to her moonlighting job on the weekend where she worked as a single coverage physician at a beach hospital in Koh Larn, an island off the coast of Pattaya. I was also able to visit another hospital in the southern region of Thailand on the island of Koh Phi Phi off the coast of Phuket right after the major flooding in South Thailand. 

I met residents and medical students from all over Thailand as well as Japan. I learned about their medical system and pathway of medical education and was invited to share with them a presentation on the US structure of emergency medicine residency and delve a bit into fellowships offered in our specialty.


The experience I had during my overseas travel was absolutely incredible. It allowed me to see how emergency medicine is practiced in different settings around the world, often in areas of diminished resources and funding as compared to the US. 

It also allowed to me to appreciate the quick availability of our resources that we have here, but causes me to step back a bit when approaching my patients. “Is that CT scan really necessary?”, or “What will that blood test tell me that I can’t already determine from the physical exam and history?”, I’ll find myself thinking. Of course, ours is a different setting and the dynamics of our approach to each patient is subject for another article. 

Ramathibodi Hospital. Bangkok, Thailand

What I got from Thailand was for greater than what I gave. I travelled across the world to help people, but I believe I was the one who received the most. 

I had an invaluable experience that enables me to catch a glimpse into lives that are so different than mine, but share in the same basic needs and emotions, which define the human condition. It gave me the chance to reconnect with the reasons why I went into medicine in the first place…something that often seemed remote back in Brooklyn when I was seeing the patient brought in for alcohol intoxication the third time that month complaining of leg pain and demanding a sandwich.

Having done my overseas electives, I now know that travelling abroad and providing medical care to those in need outside of the US will be a integrated part of my stateside medical practice in the future.  Being able to incorporate international settings into your medical education broadens your mindset and allows you to cater your residency experience to what you are most interested in.   

You’ll be able to form life-long friendships and expand your global network. Not to mention, the food, travel and stories you collect along the way are major bonuses – something you keep with you for life!
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EXIT DR. JULIA SUN LEE

Julia- Thank you so much for sharing your amazing experience on HOSPITALstyle.
If you would like more information about setting up a Thailand elective, send and email to HOSPITALstyle@gmail.com.

Redefine your coffee break with.... The Mocha Club

In keeping with this week's theme on the BEST WAYS TO GIVE IN 2011, today HOSPITALstyle is highlighting The Mocha Club.

Give up 2 drinks a week at your coffee shop of choice to promote clean water, disease prevention, education and care for orphans.

We drink so much coffee in the HOSPITAL to probably support an entire village.

Find out more @ www.themochaclub.org