Welcome to Galveston

Well all…it is official. After months of stress/pressure/frustration I finally know where I will be next year.

For those of you who don’t know, I interviewed for an anesthesia position at UT-Medical Branch (oldest medical school in Texas) in Galveston, TX for a 2008 anesthesia position. You all know that my decision in choosing between orthopedics and anesthesia has not been and easy choice. I suppose in the end I chose to move on with my life. I returned from my interview late Monday night and by Tuesday morning before 9 AM, one of the faculty at UTMB called me up and offered me the position. I told him I’d have to think about it, and that I’d get back to him.

So what did he do? He found 2 LDS residents at UTMB who could tell me about the program – good and bad – and about living on the island (in Galveston by one resident) and off the island (in League City by another resident). I spoke with one for nearly 2 hours Tuesday night. He had great things to say about the program – not great, but not bad things to say about living in Galveston. I thought and considered. Pondered and Prayed. On Thursday morning, I met with Dr. Andrews, chairman of anesthesia here at UT-San Antonio, and former chairman at UTMB. He had nothing but great things to say about the UTMB program. He assured me that I will get fabulous clinical training and the UTMB is well known throughout the U.S. By late afternoon yesterday, I called up UTMB and accepted the position. I will officially be a resident starting next year in Galveston.

This was not an easy decision. But after reviewing the events over the last couple of years, I am convinced that I am supposed to be there – for reasons I do not know. Earlier this year, when I was contemplating the jump between ortho and anesthesia, I contacted a handful of programs for “outside the match” positions starting in 2008. These included UT-Knoxville, Utah, and Stanford. By mid-September, I applied to a few backup anesthesia programs via ERAS for 2009 positions – one of these included UTMB. When UTMB got my application they quickly emailed me offering me an interview for a 2008 position rather than the 2009 position I thought I was applying for. In the meantime, I received news from Knoxville that I was not chosen as one of their residents. After the phone call on Tuesday, I contacted Utah and discovered that they have not officially been granted approval for the 2008 position they were advertising. The next day, I contacted Stanford and was told that they have 50-100 applicants already interested in their one 2008 position. After reflecting on all of these facts, it seemed as though the Lord was closing down all available options and for some reason leaving UTMB as the only option. One of the first LDS residents I spoke with told me repeatedly that he felt that he and his wife were supposed to be there, although they don’t know why. I am beginning to feel the same way.

As concerning ortho, I guess I ultimately chose lifestyle this time. As I have moved through my general surgery internship, I have learned how painful, busy and generally unhappy surgeons are. This is not necessarily true of orthopods in post-residency, private practice positions. But ask Glen, they are still very busy. Anesthesia on the other hand starts early and leaves early. They take at the most 2 calls a month and most of that is at home. Many private positions offer 8 weeks of paid vacation a year – some offer 12 weeks a year. I have learned over the last few months that a good day for me is when I get into the hospital before the sun is up, and leave when the afternoon sun is high in the sky. In anesthesia, these type of days are very typical. Lastly, it is a laid-back field. I told my interviewer in Galveston that medicine has never been number one in my life and likely never will be – and that is why I thought I fit in anesthesia well. He just nodded his head in agreement.

Anyway, I am excited. Three years in Galveston will be fun, and in the end I’ll be ready to leave. That means you all have a place close to the beach to visit in the winter. Granted the beach there is not San Diego, Miami or Maui, but it is still beach with warm water nonetheless. Here are a few pics I shot from my hotel balcony and the beach just a few meters from my hotel.

Lastly, for you Dickens fans, December is the time to visit for "Dickens on the Strand."