Last Year of Residency! The Light at the End of the Tunnel.

It's crazy to believe that 3 years has passed since I started residency! I vividly remember my first day in clinic in my new role as a "real doctor". I arrived at clinic extra early and took a picture for my mom (picture on the right - "Look mama, I made it!")

When I look back and reminisce over the past 3 years, I'm filled with many emotions. This journey has been extremely rigorous, both mentally and physically. Many of us have devoted our 20s and a good chunk of our 30s to medicine, often while placing

personal aspirations on the backburner. After more than 3 years of learning, growth, tears, ups, and downs, I am finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The 3rd year of residency was by far the hardest. I was forced out of my comfort zone on a daily basis, both clinically and surgically. Within the discomfort however, was tremendous growth which has prepared me for 4th year. I have enjoyed taking more on of a leadership and teaching role and I am looking forward to what the rest of the year holds. The motivation to keep on pushing comes from the grace of God, support of family and friends, and dedication to our patients. I've been told many times, "Don't worry, the sacrifices will soon be worth it" and I'll keep holding on to that hope to get me through.