I watch the ripples change their size / but never leave the stream - David Bowie

Time may change me. But I can't trace time.

Time got funky on me this week. It's the third day of orientation, and I'll try to describe the experience of these first three days the best I can.

M1 Orientation mixes business with pleasure. They've done a great balancing act - really. So, here's a list of things we've had to get done/ have had to learn about before getting the solemn privilege of exposure to a single patient:

• Online HIPAA training and quiz
• Read a chapter about professionalism and the physician's role
• OSHA training lecture (wonderfully informative. I was on the edge of my seat listening to Dr. Amazing Woman talk about blood-borne pathogens, MRSA, and hand-washing frequency. Those of you who know me well know I am not kidding one bit).
• Vaccines: for me MMR, HIB, and a PPD (negative; woo-hoo!). My shoulder hurts.
  

And some other things:

• student ID's
• Lockers
• Parking Permit (wonk wonk; I'm not getting one!)
• Health insurance waiver
• Learning a litany of online platforms for communication with our lecturers, administration, and fellow classmates. Seriously worse than the truffle shuffle. They swear we'll love it in a little while, but at present I just feel like I'm wiggling my belly and sticking out my tongue. BTW, we had to solemnly swear in writing that we absolutely would check these platforms for new info every day. So if I'm not Facebooking or Tweeting, that's why!
  

But, hoping you've stuck with me, here's the great part: This school is AWESOME. The deans - Dr. Schwartz and Dr. Eley - have taken such care to articulate the values of the school. I wish I could tell you the entirety of the ethos they have worked to build at that school, but that's why I'm so impressed with them. They explain in honest, clear detail exactly the types of challenges physicians face, exactly what our mission will be to our patients and communities. I listen to them with an adult mindset, but recognize that they're addressing a group whose average age is 23.4 (and I am a curve-throwing geezer). I LOVE to hear what they have to say. All of it has reinforced that I am in the right place to be learning this career.

Umm...how can I say? Dr. Schwartz set aside his well-timed humor for a few minutes while he explained solemnly that we are not to where clothing that advertises any unhealthy substance or lifestyle. His point was that our opinions will be taken seriously. We will be exposed almost on a daily basis to people whose lives have been severely altered by controlled substances and that it is not only deleterious to their health but also supremely inconsiderate of their struggle to advertise these things. The point: care and respect for the patient. Everything here has a patient-centered outlook.

Dr. Eley went to great lengths to argue for us to set limits and really do the things that, in his words, "make our souls sing." He argues for our balance and stability. He has named the temptations and named the struggles people deal with in medical school and has reiterated many times that we must maintain balance by continuing to do the things we love doing and being with the people we love being with. They give us tons of resources to help us if we falter, and make it clear that many of us will need them. They've created a rigorous program, and then built all sorts of pads and safeties into the system because, historically, they've been necessary.

I am so lucky.

No matter how delighted I am to be there, I am always thinking of what my three compadres are doing a mile away on Myrtle Lane. Are they swimming? Are they doing school? Are they having snack? Is Richie okay? So far, they've had three good days. Tomorrow is a half day for me, then I'm free on Friday. Next week will be "Week on the Wards", an introduction to clinical medicine immersion-style. I'm excited.

Oh, yeah, I've met a bunch of neat med students. Our class has a lot more women than men, plus, I tend to go for female friendships these days. These are some super solid women. I won't name names, because I'm sure I'll miss somebody or meet someone tomorrow who belongs on the list, but all I have to say is, wow. I can't wait to get to know them better.

On every level, Emory's leaders "get it" about being humane to others and to yourself. We are going to work our tails off, but I am proud and excited to have the privilege of working so hard here. Impressed, delighted, hoping I can hang.

I miss so many people!!!! :( But I'm so busy that I can't dwell on it!!!