I have finished my time at Thomas and I am sad to see it go. I loved this rotation for more reasons than
one! The histotechs were great, the doctors were so nice and helpful, and I was
near my family so I got to spend a lot of time with them! I feel as if I continued to grow and this
rotation and with my skills and comfort.
During my last few weeks, I had a few “new to me specimens” such as an
eye removed because it was painful and a large skin excision for melanoma from
the base of the foot. I had grossed
larger skin excisions before, but this one was really big which added a
challenge. I also prepared a few
different specimens for frozen sections such as breast margins and oriented
skins so that was pretty neat!
Thomas is a great rotation for learning because you are able
to take your time most days. If there is a specimen you have never done, it is
okay to stop and take your time! The work will get done! Most students come here with a partner so I
was worried I wouldn’t get the work done by myself, but I had no problem.
Another awesome thing about this rotation is that they
provide you with a 3-bedroom house which is only about 5 minutes from the
hospital. The kitchen has everything you
need such as a coffee pot, dishes, silverware, and pots and pans. There is a washer and dryer and even
cable. Previous students have kept a
binder full of take-out menus and suggestions for fun things to do around
town. I am from Charleston so to me it
was just home, but if you are new to town I suggest getting out and exploring!
It is a fun town with a growing food scene!
I am back in Pittsburgh for my rotation at UPMC-Presbyterian
for Autopsy so I will blog about that in a week or two!
