Mercer University, Macon, GA

The week after the UT Knoxville interview, Aaron had the opportunity to travel to Macon, GA for an interview with Mercer University (Medical Center of Central Georgia). He was even able to make a pit-stop in Douglasville the day before to visit with his mom and grandparents!

Aaron enjoyed his time in Macon. The meet-and-greet dinner with the residents was held at a resident's house with food catered by one of the best restaurants in the city. Aaron felt like this dinner, especially since it was at someone's home, was a great reflection on what living in Macon would be like. The next day, just like with the other interviews trips, Aaron participated in a thorough round of interviews with members of the surgery department. 

 

Here are some PROs for Mercer University:

Approximately 1.5 hours from our immediate family (and plenty of extended family in Macon!)

Cost of living is affordable

Mercer University has a MPH degree if I decided to go back to school

The residents seem like they have a real comradery with each other

There are many other PROs, and hopefully Aaron will fill me in on some more later.

Until next time!

Love,

Anna

87 days until MATCH DAY!

East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN

What's better on a snow day than to update your blog?? And what a coincidence that I would take this snow day to talk about the last snow day? So, here goes...

In mid-December, Aaron and I had the privilege to travel to Johnson City, TN to interview with East Tennessee State University's Department of Surgery. We traveled up on a Sunday afternoon and the winter weather was just beginning. By the time we got to the Carnegie Hotel where they were hosting us for the interview, the roads had become very icy and the snow was not letting up. Thankfully, the meet-and-greet resident dinner was in one of the beautiful rooms just off the lobby in the hotel, so traveling to the dinner wasn't too difficult. Many of the interviewees ended up not making it to this interview session because of how hard the traveling became. The dinner was fun, the food was delicious, and the people were incredibly friendly. I paired up with a resident's wife and got the low-down on life in Johnson City. I really appreciated all of her help and words of advice! She and her husband were from Augusta originally, so we immediately had something in common. 

Carnegie Hotel

Aaron in the lobby of the hotel

The next morning, the school had a shuttle pick up the interviewees from the hotel due to the road conditions. That meant I had the Jeep for the day! However, one look at the road, and the car, from our hotel window and I decided against it. So, I put on as many layers as I had, and went on a snowy adventure around the campus. I stayed surprisingly warm trudging though six inches of snow...for about an hour...and then it was back to the hotel! 

We ate at a wonderful BBQ place near the school on the way out of town and then we hit the road before the next line of winter weather came in. The way home was a long process, but slow and steady wins the race! Our best friend was snow plow that we followed for a portion of the way. 

Our best friend the snow plow. Check out the unplowed interstate lane on the left...eekkk!

PROs:

• Johnson City get's snow in the winter! (I know, a silly pro, and one that might not be a pro if I have to start shelving out my drive way...but on the other hand, we have had 3 snowfalls in Augusta since this time last year...maybe that is enough for me). 
• The cost of living is VERY affordable and most residents own houses. 
• About half of the residents are married, and the spouses really encourage each other
• Johnson City sounds like a very family-friendly community
• It's located in the middle of the mountains! Wahoo!! 
• Since the surgical subspecialty services are limited, the general surgery residents acquire a well-rounded surgical education that span further than a typical general surgery residency (includes orthopedics, ENT, ophthalmology, etc)

Until next time...

Love,

Anna :)

University of Tennessee at Knoxville

The beginning of December marked the start of many residency interviews this month, although MCG's interview kicked off the interview season at the end of November. I had the privilege of traveling with Aaron to Tennessee for his UT Knoxville interview, and it was so much fun! The drive was a little rough getting there (lots and lots of rain that brought some pretty chilly weather with it the next day), but we made it in plenty of time before the Meet-and-Greet Dinner with the residents and spouses. We quickly became friends with a PGY-1 (first year resident) and a PGY-3 and his wife and greatly enjoyed hearing their perspectives of life at the hospital and the incredible community they are apart of in Knoxville. We are so grateful for their honesty!

Aaron spent the next day interviewing with multiple surgical attendings, chatting with the residents (if they had free time...), and touring the hospital. I was invited out to lunch by the PGY-3's wife (we ate at Cafe' 4...I highly recommend it!), and then we went on a quick sight-seeing tour of Knoxville on our way back to the hotel. I am so thankful for her kindness and encouragement, and especially for the time she took out of her day to get to know me more personally.

I liked Cafe' 4 so much, that I took Aaron back there after his interviews finished for coffee and cupcakes before we started on our journey back to Georgia. They have the best cupcakes!! I had a peppermint chocolate cupcake, and he had an eggnog...yes, eggnog..cupcake. Delicious!

Me in front of the Gay Street area

Aaron with his Eggnog Cupcake

Here are some pros that we (really, a lot of these are my pros...) thought really stood out about the surgical residency program and the city itself:

PROS:

• The department is a hybrid university-affiliated, community-based. Since the attendings are private-practice physicians, it seems like the residents are able to participate in more team-building functions.
• Many of the residents are Christians
• Aaron and I get along well with the residents
• The community seems very family oriented
• UT Knoxville has an MPH in Epidemiology degree (just in case I go back to graduate school)
• There is a large forensic lab in the UT hospital (potential job opportunity for me?)
• All of the residents get either the week of Christmas or the week of New Year's off
• They seem to really like Aaron, who's reputation proceeds him
• Approximately half of the residents are married, and they have an incredible spouses auxiliary group
• The cost of living in Knoxville is affordable and most residents own a house close to the hospital
• Knoxville is home to Boomsday, the largest Labor Day fireworks show in the nation (okay...so not really a pro for the residency, but it would be so fun to go see it)

There are many many more pros, but I can't take the time to list them all here. Believe me when I say that we will have to take all of the pros and cons from every program and discuss them over an excellent fondue dinner, next to a very large dry-erase board that is reserved for big decision making. :)

UT Knoxville's Medical Center

The beautiful drive home...I could get used to this! :)

Love,

Anna

140 days until GRADUATION!

Merry Christmas!

When Aaron and I got married, we started a Christmas letter tradition (that was absolutely a consequence of too much free time while my med-school husband studied). This year, we published and mailed Volume 3 of the "Merriest Newspaper in the South" and are excited to now be able to share it with our blog readers! We hope you enjoy it! MERRY CHRISTMAS to all! :)

A Surgeon for a Husband...

Almost!

Aaron got these pictures from a student that he rotated with during his away rotation at Emory University. I knew that my husband would make a great surgeon, but I never knew he looked like a great surgeon! :) Of course, I'm not biased at all...

I'm so proud of you, Aaron!

Thanksgiving

So, I know its well past Thanksgiving, but I am thankful for...

my wonderful husband; the wonderful companion we have in Cooper; for God's provision in our lives, especially financial provision, and that He has a plan for our future; my incredible family; the incredible new family I gained when I married Aaron; the community of people we have here in Augusta who have become our family; and oh, so much more! Thank you, Lord, for all your blessings!

Anna's family (minus the grandpup) in front of the new house!

Medical College of Georgia

Now its time to get really really caught up. :) We are well on our way into Interview Season as we prepare for Aaron's next phase of his medical career: a Surgical Residency! The first interview was here at MCG on Nov 22nd, and despite it being a very serious contender as we decide our preferences of where we would like to go, it was nice to ease into these interviews at an institute that we are already familiar with. It certainly takes some of the pressure off when you already know your way around the campus, you already know the surgeons that are doing the interviewing, etc.

The night before Interview-Day, we met with the residents, attendings, and their spouses at the Partridge Inn (literally a block away from our house) for a meet-and-greet dinner. It was so much fun to meet the people that Aaron had worked with during the last couple of years of medical school and talk to the spouses about what life is like being married to a surgeon. I loved it! There were about 15 other interviewees in attendance, most of which had never been to Augusta, and Aaron and I were able to talk a lot about how much we have enjoyed living here. :)

My incredible soon-to-be-surgeon off to his interview at MCG!

The day of, Aaron interviewed with 4 attendings, ate lunch with the residents, and skipped the tour of the hospital (a building that I am sure he by now knows like the back of his hand). He came home completely encouraged by the supportive things that they had to say during his interviews! MCG has set the bar to compare all other interviews to as we begin to make some important decisions!

More to come as we continue interviewing at other places!

Love,

Anna

October Catch-Up

To my loyal readers,

I can't believe it has been a month since the last time I updated this blog. To my credit, I have been waiting for my camera cord replacement to come in the mail so I can include some cool pictures in my post...but, thanks to a wonderful coworker...I have a temporary replacement! So, expect more updates to come!

Since the last time I posted, Aaron and I have been busy busy. He is HOME! I love having him back from his away rotation, but sometimes it is still an adjustment to living with a boy again. ;) Before he left Atlanta, he took me on a tour of the campus he very much grew to love.

This is the School of Medicine at Emory. I was incredibly impressed with the size of the building and that is was covered in marble tiles. That is just not something we are used to at MCG.

This is the lobby of the historic wing of the Emory hospital. VERY nice...

Shortly after he moved home, we were able to take a quick trip to north Georgia for a friends wedding and really enjoyed our time there. It had been so hot in Augusta when we went, that it was refreshing to experience true fall weather. We stayed at the Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge (near Big Canoe) and we would highly recommend it!

 The welcoming committee in the lobby of the lodge when we arrived.

The view from our room.

 Congrats Becca and Josh! Have fun in China!


When we arrived home from Big Canoe, I found a new creature living under our back deck (for those of you who may not know, I have a cat that I adopted last fall after we found her hungry and pitiful also living under the back deck)...a POSSUM!! I started calling it "Little Poss" after my favorite children's book Little Poss and Horrible Hound, but Aaron quickly put a stop to that. Thankfully, Little Poss has moved on to bigger and better places, and both Cooper and Kitty are very grateful.

The following weekend, we traveled to Peachtree City for Dogwood Church's Women's Ministry Christmas Banquet. Although it is an annual event othat takes place the first weekend in November, it has become a Christmas tradition that we participate in as a family...the women attend the banquet, and the men help by serving at the banquet. Laura, Mama and I (and some of Laura's NWS coworkers) attended, and Aaron, James, and Christopher all served. (We missed you Papa!) Each year, this banquet really helps us kick-off the Christmas season the right way, whether its the reminder that Christ is the reason for the season or the importance of a servants' heart.

During the month of November, Aaron completed his Emergency Medicine rotation at Aiken Regional. This means he worked two or three shifts per week, and he was home the rest of the time! I loved it! One of the opportunities he did have was to work with the EMT helicopter that is stationed at Daniel Field. He completed the exciting training and was assigned the middle seat in the cockpit. Much to his disappointment though, they didn't get called for any emergencies while he was there. He hopes the go back sometime in December and work with them another day.

We are now headed into the season of INTERVIEWS! Aaron had his first official interview with MCG last Monday morning and I know that there are many Augustans who prayed for this interview to go very very well. We will let you know how it went in the next exciting post! 

Until next time!

Love,

Anna

157 days until GRADUATION! :)

We're in the Home Stretch!

Finally! Aaron is officially moving home this coming weekend after (what will have been) 4 weeks at Emory University completing his sub-internship. He has loved his time in Atlanta and has greatly enjoyed getting to know the individuals in the surgery department...people who he could be spending the next 5 years working with if we are matched there. I have been able to visit Aaron most weekends and it has been fun to spend some special time together as well as with some sweet friends and family. I have been keeping myself busy traveling back and forth, hosting visitors (thanks for visiting Lou!!), working on some awesome new projects at work, and hanging out with friends. Thanks to all of you who have spent time with me while Aaron has been gone!...you have been my incredible companions!!

While in Atlanta, Aaron had the privilege of interviewing at Emory and the interview went very well! That"s one interview down, six more to go! Yes!! Aaron has been invited to interview at a total of 7 surgical residency programs so far (in no particular order): Emory University (Atlanta, Ga), Medical College of Georgia (Augusta, GA), Mercer University (Macon, GA), University of Tennessee at Knoxville (Knoxville, TN), Mercer University at Savannah (Savannah, GA), Eastern Tennessee State University (Johnson City, TN), and Greenville Hospital System (Greenville, SC). God has truly provided for us while living here in Augusta, and His provisions certainly extend to the costs that could be incurred while Aaron travels to each of these interviews. All of these programs have graciously offered one-night stay at a nearby hotel at no cost to us! They will also be providing all of the meals and have invited me along! What a blessing!! We are excited about traveling to these cities...some we are familiar with and others we are not...and continue to pray that God will give us discernment in where He would have us spend the next phase of Aaron's medical career and where we would hope to begin raising a family. Match day will not come soon enough!

More updates to come! Oh, and officially 199 days left until graduation! :)

~Anna

Add Two More!!

We are looking forward to two more interviews for surgical residency programs that Aaron has received invites for: Mercer University in Macon, GA, and Emory University in Atlanta. He is doing his "sub-internship" at Emory now, and despite having a 25 minute walk from his parking space, he is loving his time there. Can't wait to see him this weekend...hopefully he doesn't have to work too much! Among other things, I will be going to the Atlanta BBQ Festival at Atlantic Station on Saturday with a wonderful friend (that I haven't seen in sooooooo long!)...this weekend is going to be amazing!!

Also, there is going to be a HUGE Yard Sale this Saturday, Oct 2nd from 8am-2pm here in Augusta. This sale is to raise money for Doug and Amy Nunziato and their plane tickets to Costa Rica for language school. They are moving to Spain next year to be career missionaries.There is going to be some really cool stuff for sale!...furniture, toys, clothes, kitchen items, decorative items, etc. Come out and support the Nunziato's! 
Location: 242 E. Vineland Road, Augusta.

:) Anna

Busy busy bees...

It was been a busy couple of weeks since I last updated this blog... but, now i have lots to share! Aaron's Clinical Skills test on Sept 13th went very well...It should have! Being a practice patient was exhausting :)... and we hope to get the scores sometime in the next month or two. Apparently, the cases I was helping Aaron study were slightly more difficult then the 12 cases that he had on test day. The test is pass/fail, and we are absolutely certain that he passed!

Which brings us to the next big milestone and the last BIG test of his medical school career: the Clinical Knowledge exam. Aaron spent all of September studying for this 9-hour exam that most 4th year medical school students take between July and Sept. Aaron had the honor of taking it yesterday. God blessed him with such incredible calmness and peace and a great night sleep! It made me anxious to see him so calm! :)

After Aaron's test, we were able to celebrate another big surprise!: he received an invitation to interview for Medical College of Georgia's surgical residency program, which means that we still have an opportunity to stay in the Augusta area for the next five years!! God knows how difficult it has been for me to consider leaving our amazing community of friends that have become our family here. But, I know that He has wonderful plans for us no matter where we end up.
 
Last night my grandparents came into town for a visit, and we have had an awesome time with them. We ate at Manuel's Bread Cafe in Hammond's Ferry (which I highly recommend) and then went to the Visual Arts and Jazz Cafe' at our church as part of the Westobou Festival. Aaron submitted a few of his paintings, one of which is a beautiful painting of a covered bridge on loan from my grandfather...the same covered bridge where Aaron proposed. It was fun to see his art amongst the other artist's piece. Lots of people turned out to the exhibit and really enjoyed seeing his hidden talent!

Aaron leaves tomorrow for a month long rotation (essentially a month long interview) in Emory University's Department of Surgery. He will be living with my brother in downtown ATL and I hope that they have fun! Cooper and I will be keeping each other company while he is away.
I think that is all for now... until next time!

Love,
Anna    

Big Test Day!

Tomorrow is another big day as Aaron and I prepare for his residency. He will be taking the Clinical Skills exam at 8 am in Atlanta. He has been studying diligently over the last couple of weeks and I have been a terrific practice patient, if I may say so myself. :) I know that he will do extraordinary well tomorrow, but your prayers for confidence, comfort, and excellent recall would be very much appreciated. This test, along with the Clinical Knowledge test that he takes at the end of this month, make up the "Step 2" exam of the medical boards, and are important for being considered for residencies and necessary for graduation (only 235 days to go!)!! As he takes these exams, it is important that we remember that God already knows the scores that Aaron will receive and He has planned our future accordingly.

Thank you in advance for your faithful prayers! 

Welcome to Our Blog!

Hello All!

I have decided to start a blog to give our little family an opportunity to share with our friends and family the incredible blessings and other goings-on happening here in Augusta, GA. Where to begin?!?  We are now 2 months into Aaron's fourth year of medical school and have already applied to surgical residency programs across the southeast. Honestly, we are excited about the next phase of our life together (and his medical career!), while also a little overwhelmed with everything that we have to do over the next 239 days until GRADUATION!!- but who's counting?! Aaron was able to turn in all his applications (to a long list of schools!) the first day the service allowed and everything has gone smoothly so far. God has really given us peace during this process...knowing that He has planned a place for us to be, whether we stay here or move somewhere else...God will place Aaron and I -and Cooper!- exactly where we need to be for His glory. If we just continue to trust in that, and spend far less time worrying, we will be able to see God's hand at work in all this business! God certainly encouraged us yesterday afternoon when Aaron received his first invitation to interview from UT Knoxville (Go Vols!!). It hasn't even been a week since we applied! What a blessing! We certainly did not expect to receive invitations so soon. We won't be interviewing until the beginning of December, but I am excited that they have asked me to come along! I have heard beautiful things about the city, but I not quite sure if I am ready to commit to Tennessee orange...

As we continue on our quest to find out the residency program for us, we just ask that the Lord would continue to give us discernment for what lies ahead! We can't wait to see what is in store! 

:) Anna

                                     
                                     UT Knoxville