"I Have A Dream"

Today in the United States is a National Holiday celebrating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King. On the shoulders of so many great people of my past, am I able to pursue my dream today. I had a dream as a young girl to one day become a practicing physician. I never considered myself the smartest kid, although I graduated from high school at the age 16. I started school at age 3...and scrambled to keep up with those around me, never wanting my peers to know my true age. I made decent grades in high school...I even was chosen to attend a college program during the summer before my senior year in high school (in which I completed the program with a 3.33 GPA at age 15yrs)...I still didn't see the reality of my dream... After graduating from high school, I took a year off and worked three jobs...just to pay my $200 car note...Then, one of my aunts talked me into going into the Air Force and there I could get money for college. Okay, now a plan was coming together. I went to talk to a recruiter and signed up. I thoroughly enjoyed my tour in the military. I was "ate up". I was the golden child of the squadron...I was on the base honor guard, received top annual performance reviews...I won several awards, was chosen for early promotion...enrolled in college...earned my Associates degree...I excelled...My confidence was at an all time high...So, I decided to go check on the Air Force Boot Strap program where the military would pay for me to go to school, all the way through medical school. After speaking with the counselor, I was discouraged. I was too afraid to try...So, I put my dream on a shelf and pursue a degree in Business...Which worked out fine for me, but it wasn't what I truly wanted to do with my life. You must know your self worth. You must know that you are worth a "try". If you feel you have the dedication, the determination, then you are worth a try. Push fear to the side to PUSH FORWARD....This is why most of my blogs ring with the same theme...don't let fear, excuses, and/or other opinions stop you for being the best you, you desire to be. I have had many discouraging so called "counselors" on this journey tell me otherwise...but, I refuse to accept their discouragement as my final destination...I HAVE A DREAM...I'M LIVING MY DREAM... IT IS UNFOLDING BEFORE ME DAILY... So, as we remember Dr. King today, rekindle your DREAM, grasp your faith in your destiny, know that it's never too late...if there is a will there is a way...make the sacrifice...it will be worth it...for every sacrifice there is an equal or GREATER REWARD.... Now, go LIVE YOUR DREAMS!

FREE YOUR MIND the art of Psychiatry...

It's a NEW Year 2015....Happy New Years...I'm seventeen days into 2015 and I have not posted...what's been going on with me? I start my Psychiatry rotation. I had mixed feelings about psychiatry, not really know if I would like it or find it interesting. But, I've gotten good reports from my peers on how they fell in love with psych on their rotations. So, I wanted to see for myself. I've been told by many people I should be a psychiatrist, since I'm always analyzing people, trying to fix people, or trying to save them. But, not having any first hand exposure to the field, I just thought prescribing medications was the jest of it. Now, that I am starting my third week rotation with a very busy psychiatrist, I see that psychiatry is more than prescribing medications. The skills used in diagnosing are the same as an ER doctor, just using different tools. As patients enter the office doors, they are looking for answers to their behaviors that maybe impairing their functionality on their jobs, in their relationships, or just within themselves, a psychiatrist is there to help. I know that there is a negative stigma in a lot of communities about going to a psychiatrist. But the truth of the matter, visiting a psychiatrist office is no different than seeing your primary care doctor or rushing to the emergency room when you need acute care. I guess that's the beauty of medical school, you get to explore physical ailments as well as mental ailments and provide solutions that best fit the patient lifestyle individually, customized patient care. Just as in physical treatment, not all illnesses can be controlled or cured and the same as with the mental illness. The many layers of psychiatry are unfolding before me and I'm excited to continue to see my journey. Whatever your mind concieves, you can achieve...unknown Now, go live your dreams!