Monday, June 4, 2018

3rd Rotation, Week 7-Charleston, WV


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!