Graduation

   

It's hard to believe that these four years of medical school are coming to an end. It seems like it has flown by. Addressing graduation invitations, on the other hand, is not flying by at all. It is dragging very slowly. Slowly but surely, they will be finished and in the mail. 

Until they do go out, please go ahead and mark your calendars!

Graduation will be on Friday May 3rd, 2013 at 1:00 PM in Macon, Georgia.

"Oh, we're half way there..."

Half way through with the invitations that is!

Wilderness Medicine Conference

Ryan and I recently figured out that we would finally be able to attend a Wilderness Medicine Conference together. There is an annual Southeastern Wilderness Medicine Conference held each spring, often in Winston-Salem, NC. This year will be the 6th one that has occurred, and we will both be attending! It will be in April and is being held at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. This is the hospital where I will start my residency in June.

I have wanted to go to one of these since my first year of medical school, but every year for one reason or another we have something else planned the weekend of the conference. We are looking forward to learning lots of great skills that will help in the case of an emergency while hiking or away from your typical first world country healthcare services.

We will get to chose several workshops and small group discussions to make up our weekend of training.

Workshop topics include: Orthopedics and Splints, Litters and Carries: Moving Patients, Trauma Assessment and Hemorrhage Control, Wound Care and Suturing, Airway Management in the Wilderness, Survival Skills: Shelter, Fire and Water, Venomous Snakes, Ultrasound in the Wild 

Small group topics include: Venomous Snakes, Tactical Medicine, Hemorrhage control, Anaphylaxis, International Medicine, Lightning, Altitude Medicine, Pediatrics in the woods, Dive Medicine, Disaster Medicine, Whitewater injuries

Eventful Weekend

Well, Ryan and I went up this past weekend house hunting in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. My Dad accompanied us and was a huge help. His realtor skills from years past kicked into high gear over the weekend. 

I am currently swamped with getting paperwork together for my upcoming residency at Wake Forest, so I will have to write a longer post about our eventful weekend another day. Who knew that you had to get two sets of finger prints at a police station before practicing as an MD in the state of North Carolina? I surely did not. Yes, this does mean that this morning I was a a police station getting printed!

One of many photos of our weekend: Ryan at REI getting fitted for a great hiking pack. 

First House Hunting Trip

Yes, you did read the title of this post correctly. Ryan and I will soon be headed up to Winston-Salem, North Carolian to attempt our first in person look at several houses. It is certainly a very exciting time in our lives!

I've had a lot more free time than is typical for me recently, since I have just been co-tutoring the Endocrinology phase for a group of the 2nd year students. I've really enjoyed co-tutoring thus far and was paired with an excellent biochemistry professor. I had some flashbacks from my early medical school years when I got to break out my flashy color coded tabs again. I used them to keep the homes we will be looking at over the weekend organized. 

Please be thinking & praying about us and the adventure we're going on this weekend. We are very fortunate that my dad (who was a realtor for 25+ years) will be accompanying us on this trip. He has been a great help thus far with looking at houses online, and I know he will be helpful on this trip. 

Donations Needed for Haiti

We had a team meeting tonight for the upcoming May Haiti Mission Trip. It was brought to our attending that there are some basic items the children at the Cambry Orphanage are always in need of. If you feel led to start a drive to collect any of these items then please get in touch with me. Or if you would like to donate a few packs of beef jerky or protein bars any aid is greatly appreciated! We did get an update that the children are receiving much more adequate, nutritious foods in their regular diet. They have even started a small garden on the property, and they are planning to expand this in the near future!

Items Needed:

• Children's Shoes* (athletic shoes, crocs, or black dress shoes for church) Size 3-Adult Man
• Children's Socks
• Children's Underwear (girls & boys)
• Protein Powder
• Protein Bars
• Beef Jerky

*Children play a lot & go through shoes quickly. They are always active, which is great for them. However, they are not allowed to attend school if they do not have shoes on.

Packing

We are moving to Winston-Salem, NC in a few months! 

I decided there was no better time than the present to start packing. 

One box down! I started with Ryan's collection of Stephen King books. 

We will be searching for our new place of residence and for a new job for Ryan. 

WE MATCHED!!!

Internal Medicine - Primary Care Track

How I am Preparing for Match Day

This may appear that I have a bad case of stress baking, but I promise I do not! As a class officer I have been dealt the hand of preparing a few hundred cookies for the Match Day ceremony. I will also be making a vanilla cake with a homemade whipped chocolate ganache frosting using 1.5 pounds of chocolate that will be raffled at the event!

Stay tuned for where we match! I am sure we will text, call, facebook, blog, etc... 

and essentially announce to the entire world where we are going once we know tomorrow!

Lock, Stock, & Barrel

This past weekend Ryan and I were invited to attend a very special event called the Lock, Stock, and Barrel. It is a huge fundraiser held once every two years that benefits the Georgia Rural Medical Scholar Program.

"GRMSP  was established by the Washington County Archway Partnership Health Committe, the Georgia Statewide AHEC Network, Mercer University School of Medicine and other Georgia medical schools. The program recruits medical students to receive medical training in the Washington & Johnson County area. The program was officially launched in July 2010 and maintains cohorts with an average of four medical students, each completeing two to three clinical rotations yearly. A key component of the GRMSP is that students are housed locally for approximately four weeks at a time and are able to experience life outside the medical practice. Funds for the program are used for housing costs to relieve some of these students' financial burdens while experiences all that the Washing & Johnson County area has to offer."

This year's event featured a skeet tournament, a demonstration by Gena Knox and James Farmer III, an oyster roast, and a classic southern fare buffet. Gena and James are both locals who have made it big as lifestyle and food editors. I was introduced to Gena Knox very early at the event, and I thought she looked incredibly familiar. Then I figured out why. She is the author of a cookbook one of my aunts gave me a few years ago for Christmas! Even more hilarious is that after we got home, Ryan discovered that in addition to owning her book already, I actually had a signed copy of it. Gena and James sold and signed copies of their books at this fundraiser after their cooking demonstration.

Those who sponsored the event were also invited to be guests at a rather large (24,000 square feet) new home in the county before the main festivities. This included a tour of the very large mansion. In addition to those sponsors, GRMSP also invited the medical students that had rotated in the community. Needless to say, Ryan and I were very excited about this event! I was looking forward to seeing several of my Sandersville and Wrightsville friends as several of them had never met Ryan before this past weekend. Here's a few of the photos taken.

Ryan and I in one of the family rooms in the house.

Griffin and I at the Lock, Stock, & Barrel

 

Griffin kindly identifying that the ordinary door with an electronic device was actually an elevator.

The mansion had a total of 2 elevators, one for each end of the house.

My favorite children's bed in the entire house. Yes, that is a bed. 

The outside looks like Cinderella's coach. There is a castle bed next to it for another granddaughter.

There were a total of 6 beds for grandchildren. The other 4 were a ship built for 2 and a tree-house built for 2.

Quite possibly the fanciest bathroom I have ever seen. Definitely my favorite bathroom in the house. And the only one that had its own fireplace.

View of the sinks in my favorite bathroom in the house. Just slightly elaborate.

This master bathroom led into the largest master closet I have ever seen in my entire life...

(as large as our two bedroom apartment and included 4 ladders).

Ryan showing everyone how it's done at the Oyster Roast portion of the night.

He said the oysters were better at this event than at the Charleston Oyster Roast a few months back.

Truth Be Told

Earlier this year I received an email from my Sister-in-Law over at The Price Report asking me if I had heard of this new business in Macon called Truth Be Told. I had not at the time, but it looked like something  I would love to do! I am so glad that it was brought to my attention, because I would have completely missed this opportunity otherwise! 

I have "liked" on Facebook where I normally get my hair cut in Macon, Signature Salon. And a week or so ago they posted that they would be having a Truth Be Told painting party! I quickly messaged them for more information so I could sign up. I managed to convince one of my best friends in medical school to join me for the party. We had a blast! At each party everyone does the same type of painting, but gets to choose their paint colors and scripture. 

Truth Be Told is a business and ministry started by a Macon local who is an art teacher. There is a short video the entire group watches before the painting process starts, and the founder Elizabeth talks about a near death experience she had when giving birth. She had a placental abruption. She felt overwhelmingly blessed to have lived through this, and she continued to wonder why God had spared her life. She knew He must have a plan for her. Not too long after that a friend of hers who was not artistically inclined asked her if she would help her learn to paint. The friend wanted to give one of her friends who was going through a very rough time a painting that included scripture within it. Elizabeth, as a children's art teacher, was skeptical that she could instruct an adult in one sitting how to create a painting like this, but she did. This was the very beginning of Truth Be Told. 

Since the business and ministry started in July of 2012 they have reached thousands of women across Georgia. One of the women touched by this ministry has even carried out what she learned to an orphanage in Haiti! The children there learned how to paint a colorful avocado with scripture on it, and they sell their masterpieces to help sustain the orphanage. This particular orphanage has even started it's own art school, and the children just love it. I have emailed Elizabeth to find out more about this, as it really touched my heart and made me think of the children at the Cambry Orphanage.

I wish I had more photographs of the process, but I didn't want my camera anywhere near the paint! Things got a little messy at times. I absolutely love the painting I was able to create with the help of a fabulous instructor! 

My instructor, Amanda Gaskins

My work of art just before tracing the scripture onto my board. I chose I Corinthians 13:13

My friend Griffin (really Ashley, but there are 4 in my class!) and I with our finished paintings.

Griffin is matching into a general surgery residency position next week. She managed to tie our twine with surgical knots.

My final painting. I am so ready to hang it up, but it will probably have to wait until we are at our new location for residency!

Last Day of Clinic...

Photo of myself from clinic.

Ryan will not be getting any more random clinic photos for a while. That might seem strange, but for a lot of my clinic rotations Ryan actually leaves for work before I get ready for clinic. Occasionally I will a free moment to shoot him a photo and let him know I'm thinking about him. Technology is pretty amazing.

So why no more clinic photos? Today was my very last day in clinic in America until I am in residency!

That statement is still pretty overwhelming to think about. I finished my outpatient endocrinology rotation today as the clinic is closed on Fridays. I started my weekend this afternoon, and am very excited about having next week off as vacation! I will be visiting some family and enjoying a spa day with Mom. I think this will help significantly with my match day nerves!

I will find out on Monday if I matched at all or not. Will be keeping you all posted.

Haiti - A Chance to Return!

DEAR FRIENDS & FAMILY,

I hope that God is doing as many wonderful things in your life as He is in mine. I wanted to share with all of you a ministry opportunity I have been presented with. I have the opportunity to return to Haiti with a group called Give Hope. This is a nonprofit organization started by three individuals who were and are still heavily involved in Bless Back Worldwide, the group I traveled with this past August. This mission trip will be reaching out to the 140 children at the Cambry Orphanage in Les Cayes, Haiti. Our mission team consists of a small group of individuals looking to serve God with our various gifts and talents.

I am overwhelmed at the moment with gratitude for the great blessings God has placed in my life. As all of you are likely aware already, I will be matching for residency in Internal Medicine this March 15. I will graduate medical school on May 3, 2013 and officially become Dr. Katie Price, which still sounds quite foreign to me! On July 1, 2013 I will begin my first day as a resident! But before that, I have an amazing chance to give back at the Cambry Clinic in Les Cayes, Haiti from May 25, 2013 through June 1, 2013.

I have been so blessed already to have been on three medical mission trips to Cambry, Haiti during my four years in medical school. The first two were through Mercer University School of Medicine. This past August 2012 I was able to return with the nonprofit organization, Bless Back Worldwide, where three of my classmates and I, with the help of one phenomenal physician, ran the clinic at Cambry. It was an experience I will never forget. If you had told me before I began medical school that I would be called to help run a medical clinic in a third world country, I would not have believed you. I still find it difficult to believe that I am capable of such things, but with God all things are possible.

While God has opened up a door for me to develop a greater heart of compassion for His people around the world, the exciting part is that you will be able to share in this compassion in several ways. First, you all can help pray for me and my fellow team members. We will need prayers that God will prepare us for our visit and bless our efforts as we minister to the people of Haiti. We will also need prayers that our financial needs will be met. At this time we need to raise $1,900 each to attend this trip, and that is quite a challenge!

Another way you can be involved is to help provide that financial support. Would you consider supporting me with a small donation? I have listed at the bottom of this blog postl how you can made a contribution toward this amazing trip. I will need to raise all my funds by May 1^st in order to pay for airline tickets and other items. Whether you feel led to contribute financially, through prayer, or both, all of your support is appreciated.

I look forward to doing God’s work in Haiti and letting you know all about how God has worked through this team when I return. Please pray for us. Know that God’s love knows no borders. To each individual, He has graciously bestowed unique gifts. It is our desire to use those gifts to further His Kingdom.

With an abundance of gratitude,

Katie Edenfield Price

One last photo after a fun day of drawing with chalk back in summer of 2011.

One of my favorite photos of Nichson.

Aunt KayKay donated the funds for this parachute. The tsimoun (children) LOVED it!

HOW TO DONATE:

ONLINE
If you are interested in making a donation for my upcoming mission trip online, please use the Donate button on the Give Hope Global Website. Please make sure to notate in the comments section "Katie Price May 2013 Trip" so that the funds are applied to my account for the trip. If you are unable to locate the comments section, please send an email to anorris@compactpowercenter.com and notify Allison Norris of the donation.

SNAIL MAIL
You can also donate by mail if you would rather send a check. Please make all checks payable to Give Hope, Inc. Please note in the memo section "Katie Price" so that it is applied to the correct account.

Mailing address:

Give Hope, Inc.
P.O. Box 2071
Fort Mill, SC 29716

Jezi remen moun! = Jesus loves people! 

(I was going for "Jesus loves everyone" but I didn't speak much Haitian Creole in 2011!)

Good News!

I will be seeing these two precious children before I start residency! This can only mean two things.
Either they are coming to America or I am going back to Haiti!


Michelson & Nichson

More information to come on a later post.

Fogarty Reunion

This past weekend was quite eventful! For the first time in my life (that I can remember), a Fogarty Family Reunion was attempted. There was a delicious low country boil at my Mom's Uncle Jack's house out on the marsh of Wilmington Island. We got to see many family members that we had not seen in years! One relative even flew in from Colorado for this festive occasion. It was a bit chilly, but we enjoyed a nice fire pit to keep warm at the outdoor gathering of the Fogarty clan.

We have my brother's fiance Heather to thank for the wonderful photos of the day. Patrick also took a few!

  

Nearly everyone there made it for this photo! Jimbo from Colorado is giving my brother Patrick bunny ears.

Dad playing this silly game called Half Rubber. Still not sure if I believe that this is a real thing. 

But it's on Wikipedia here, so it must be real.

 

Ryan and Coraline playing with the corn hole beanbags.

 

View from Uncle Jack's backyard. Beautiful.