Prepared to tackle the challenges of the Spring!

This month, I had the privilege of volunteering with the Catholic Charities Immigrant and Refugee Services' Family Literacy Program. As a volunteer, my role was primarily that of a tutor. I worked one-on-one or in small groups to assist in learning English. Volunteering in this capacity allowed me to connect with the migrant community more individually and personally. I remember when I was in kindergarten and didn't understand the language but thankfully was equipped with such great support at my school at the time, I was able to learn English by 1st grade. Likewise with these individuals, thankfully to this program. It was a really rewarding experience to contribute to their journey of integration and empowerment in the local community.

Hours: 6 (in 3 days) 

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In the blink of an eye, were already back from winter break. Just like that before I know it, my classmates and I will be graduating soon, something I look immensely towards to but with a saddened heart at the same time. January, wow, my birthday month, trying to organize and get the feel for this new semester, completing service hours, and preparing for medical school admissions and graduate programs... talk about chaos! We started the semester off strong with the Endocrine (insulin) and Reproductive (FSh/LH/estrogen) modules, something Ive always learned about being a pre-med but never really took the time to understand the depths of them until now. Diabesity trends have increasingly gone up in the past 15 years so I am thrilled to be so knowledgeable on it. Knowledge is power, right? On a different note, whew! 6 presentations this semester. Ironically, we are learning about stress and how detrimental it could be to our health chronically.. well this semester screams stress!! But hey, every cloud has a silver lining—I'm already feeling more confident about giving presentations and deciphering those lengthy scientific manuscripts. Despite the chaos, I'm incredibly grateful for this program. Even amidst the MCAT prep madness, key concepts and terms we have gone over keep popping up in my studies. 

Turning the final page of the fall semester!

I had the opportunity to be a part of the New Orleans Holiday Toy Giveaway this past week. We helped distribute toys to children ages 4-12 as part of the 2023 Neighborhood Cares Initiative Holiday Toy Giveaway. I helped the kids select toys that sparked their interest, ensuring each received a gift tailored to bring them joy. The event showcased a community coming together to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most during the holiday season. It ignited the holiday spirit that I will soon spend with my family. I find myself grateful for the opportunity to have played a part in this transformative experience :)

Hours: 4

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As the semester comes to an end, we just completed the GI/Neoplasia module. Learning about different drug classes and how they attack cancer cells and their receptors was incredibly interesting and allowed me to wrap my head around the whole disease itself. Reflecting on my fall semester journey, I'm genuinely grateful for the depth of learning and the diverse insights gained. I am excited to see what the spring semester has in store for me and to embark on the next steps in my medical career. I had no idea I would enjoy learning about pharmacokinetics the way I do before starting this program but I am privileged I can be a part of such a community 

 

Shifting gears from the hustle to a tranquil rhythm

This month I had the privilege to volunteer at the children's hospital in New Orleans. Immediately I saw the profound impact a team of volunteers can have on a hospital's overall community and functioning. I assisted in engaging with the children during wait times and provided guidance with any assistance needed in directions. While my volunteer experience did not involve shadowing healthcare providers directly, the opportunity to be in the environment I thrive to work in one day left a lasting impression, It's a rewarding journey that goes beyond the volunteer hours. 

Hours: 5

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As we conclude the renal/pulmonary block, the journey has been nothing short of captivating. Coming out from such a hefty topic like cardiovascular to jump into renal and pulmonary, I definitely found the list of drugs to be memorized a lot easier and digestible. Most of the information taught was things we previously learned or heard of before but just in greater detail this time. I found the renal physiology/ACEi/diuretics section the most interesting as it always fascinates me what the body does in order to stay in homeostasis. I can also nag my friends about their asthma inhalers and what key ingredients they contain in them now, which I'm really happy about. Overall, nonetheless, I am beyond grateful to be a part of this program and to have learned everything I have learned so far. 

Navigating the academic peaks & mastering the most demanding topic with resilience

Happy Halloween! In order to fully embrace the Halloween spirit, I had the opportunity to volunteer at Trick or Treatmoor this past weekend at a premier fundraising and neighborhood engagement event. I contributed to the transformation of the event space by assisting with setting up the different booths they had to offer with Halloween decorations and assisting in preparing refreshments, food, and raffle tickets one could buy for the event. Whether it was helping kids create their own masterpieces at the coloring booth, guiding them to carve their spooky pumpkins, or immersing them at the tye dying table, the event was full of creativity and fun. I am fortunate to have been part of this experience where the Halloween spirit flooded the atmosphere all while contributing to a worthy meaningful cause.

Hours: 4

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As the second month into the pharmacology program comes to an end, we've just conquered the most demanding topic to date. I really enjoyed the autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular block, the material made a lot of sense that we apply to our everyday lives and it was fascinating to follow along with. I think creating table charts to memorize the different drug classes and drugs within them made studying a lot easier as well as drawing flow charts for certain mechanisms to immensely grasp the bigger picture. The SIM lab we attended also put things into perspective big time! Overall, I'm eagerly looking forward to applying all the knowledge I've learned so far to future topics we will discuss.

Embarking on the first chapter of my graduate journey – where curiosity meets academia and dreams take flight!

I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Broadmoor Food Pantry managed in association with Broadmoor Community Church, which was a truly rewarding experience. This pantry occurs every Tuesday and Wednesday to better serve local New Orleans residents. I joined a group of dedicated volunteers to support our local community through food delivery. My primary tasks were assembling and packaging boxes filled with essential items and helping with any assistance to bring the boxes to the vehicles. These boxes were like care packages, filled with nourishment and care. We shared local experiences and connected on several aspects since I am now a New Orleans resident. It felt incredible to be part of the team that made this possible. We can sometimes get so caught up in our lives, that it was nice to take a step back and view things from different lenses. I am extremely grateful to have had this experience and fully intend to return to show my appreciation and contribution through more service work.

Hours: 4

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My experience with the Master's Pharmacology program has honestly been enjoyable thus far, as I reflect back on my journey one month into the program. The first two weeks of class brought a sense of overwhelment due to the volume of information we had to grasp and organize but I soon adapted after implementing effective organizational techniques and creating a system. This adjustment boosted my confidence and performance in the course. At this point, I feel like I have mastered my studying habits and organizational skills in order to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the topics discussed. In my opinion, although the program is fast-paced, it is not hard if you take time aside to study at least 2-5 hours a day. I think the program equips us with enough helpful resources to make us understand and grasp the areas not well understood. I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this program as the information is incredibly interesting and reinforces essential concepts if you are preparing for the MCAT.