After making it through the Match and a final year of medical school, M4 students are ready to be called “doctor.”
“I feel like opportunities galore await us now,” said George “Bud” Vana, MD, who graduated this month from the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Dr. Vana will head to Providence soon as part of Brown University’s Triple Board Program, moving into a house he and his wife just bought.
The months before residency programs start in July are an exciting time for newly minted physicians, both in the clinical realm and in their personal lives.
For Bradley Burmeister, MD, who will start his residency in emergency medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin after graduating this month from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, it’s finally time to use his expertise.
“As a medical student, I had the opportunity to spend more time with patients to get a more thorough history or better explain what was going on,” Dr. Burmeister said. “Now I have the opportunity to really use my knowledge to affect their care. Instead of believing a patient should have a certain test and waiting a few minutes or even a few hours for rounds to have an attending or resident order a test, I can do it. I’m excited to really start to make a difference.”
But leaving the shelter of school and entering the working world has some drawbacks.
“I always worry about my personal competency and ability to live up to the expectations that are set for me,” said Christian Pulcini, MD, a new resident at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh who just graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine. “I’m also worried about financial security, figuring out loan consolidation and payment, moving and supporting a family with my wife.”
For Amy Ho, MD, who graduated this month from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and is moving to Chicago for an emergency medicine program, there’s an even deeper worry – harming a patient.
“Most of us haven’t rotated into our chosen specialty since the fall,” she said. “I’ve been reading like a demon again to try to buffer that.”
But the worries are outweighed by the knowledge that their careers are just beginning.
“Medicine is changing rapidly, and those people who have a vision, understanding and interest in keeping the public healthy will have lots of chances to excel and do innovative things,” said Dr. Vana.
What do recent med school grads hope younger students know?
- “It really does work out. The fact that you are in medical school shows you are resilient and able to adapt to whatever life throws at you.” – Dr. Ho
- “Keep trucking. It all gets done if you keep your feet moving forward.” – Dr. Vana
- “Enjoy the ride. Every student has good days and bad days, but always remember why you wanted to go in to medicine and know that your future patients are thankful for your dedication.” – Dr. Burmeister
- “Do things you are passionate about while in medical school. Your passions will begin to define you – and keep you sane – and residency programs respect and want to foster those passions.” – Dr. Pulcini
How can med school grads feel prepared to enter residency?
- Consult AMA Resident and Fellow Section resources, such as Succeeding from Medical School to Practice
- Get a free print subscription to the Journal of the American Medical Association as a resident member of the AMA and stay current on research, reviews and perspectives in medicine
- Watch a video on managing medical school debt and get help with financial decisions from AMA Insurance
