Welcome to my first blog post! This month has been one of craziest months I have had all year, but I am forever grateful. Here I am pursuing my Masters degree in Pharmacology at Tulane School of Medicine! Honestly, I assumed COVID-19 was going to ruin my plans for the entire year. I will never get to experience the big moment where I would walk across the stage after completing my undergraduate studies, but hopefully I can for this program.
Before graduating from college, I thought the medical school application process would be fairly doable, but boy was I wrong. I was very hesitant and not confident in myself so I decided to apply to the different Biomedical Science programs. After doing research and speaking to current Tulane medical students, it was clear that the Pharmacology program was the one for me. Moving to New Orleans was the best decision I have ever made in my life. It is truly a city of opportunity and hope.
It has been a month since the semester has started and I have completed two module exams. The first exam is always the worst one because you do not know what to expect. I have learned about NSAIDs, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. I haven't even gotten through half of the semester and I feel like I have learned so much not only about antifungals and antibodies, but also about myself. I am still learning different ways to study and trying to figure out what learning system works best for me. I am pushing myself to be a leader and be a bridge between my class and the Biomedical Sciences Student Association by accepting the position as class representative. My first project is creating events for the different masters programs via zoom. Although COVID-19 has stopped us from having group events in-person, I am still trying to create ways for my classmates to become closer as a class.
As for volunteering, I decided to volunteer at the Louisiana SPCA. I love animals, especially dogs. I am very passionate about animals. I believe that animals have feelings and should be cared for like we care for ourselves. Another volunteering opportunity I am very excited to begin is at Tulane Medical Center. I will be working as a volunteer with a Tulane hospital administrator on a project that will solve the issue of cleaning and reusing N95 masks effectively since there is a shortage. Due to COVID-19, the dates for orientation were pushed back. During this time, I wanted to write letters to the elderly at the Woodlands Healthcare Center in California. I cannot imagine being in a nursing home and unable to have my family visit me during these unpredictable times. Sending these letters to the elderly lets them know that they are not forgotten.
Unfortunately, this is all the time I have today. I have a presentation about atrial fibrillation tomorrow for Advances in Pharmacology and an exam the following day. If you're reading this, pray for me! I am looking forward to see what the rest of the semester has in store for me.
Hours: 1
