Today is my last day in New Mexico. Yes, like the state wayyy out in the southwest. Why am I out in New Mexico you ask? I don’t know either. Just kidding, I signed up for a month out here. BUT, sometimes I think to myself, why did I think this was a good idea? These last four weeks have been so rewarding, but also pretty challenging. Hear me out…

Almost a year ago, I was picking courses for my fourth year of medical school. As someone interested in global health and working with underserved populations, a travel elective caught my eye. I could spend a month working on a Navajo reservation out in New Mexico, taking care of Native American children in a town called Gallup. Being the well-meaning but impulsive person I am, I hit enroll without another thought. I didn’t do any research, I didn’t consider what it would be like to go away for a whole month during my last semester in medical school, and I definitely didn’t check the climate. But well, here I am. Let me tell you a little something about New Mexico. It’s landscape is beautiful; I spent the whole drive from Albuquerque to Gallup trying to keep my eyes from wandering to the wide open spaces, the red rocks, and the snowcapped mountains that lined the only road.  However, New Mexico in February is COLD. I thought I was escaping winter for a temperate climate, but oh how naïve I was. The first morning I got in my car to go to work and the temp on the dash said -2º. It snowed about a week in, and apparently plows are not a thing here. I felt cheated, especially since there was a warm spell in Cincinnati where they were enjoying a balmy 70 degree day while I froze my tail off. So take my word for it, this is not a winter destination, unless you’re a penguin or something.

Anyway, that’s the physical environment. More importantly, when I arrived at work, I got a much warmer welcome. I spent my days at a little pediatric clinic at Gallup Indian Medical Center, which is part of the Indian Health Service that cares for the Navajo population that makes up most of Gallup. I saw kids of all ages, from 2 week well baby checks to 18 year olds transitioning care to the adult world. As a fourth year medical student about to transition to residency, I felt really comfortable seeing patients and their families, and multiple doctors commented that the feeling seemed to be mutual. It brought me back to my general pediatrics rotation at the beginning of my third year, and I realized just how much I have grown since that time. I am way more confident in taking a full health history, and I am much more adept at looking in the ears of squirming toddlers. The doctors and clinic staff were so willing to teach me when I struggled, while also allowing me the autonomy to practice being a “real doctor.” The first time I worked with Dr. G, she asked “Can you talk to the patients? Can you do the exam? Oh and write the note?” “Absolutely,” I responded, “yes to all of the above.” By the end of the day I had seen 7 or 8 patients on my own, and the doctor said to the chief, “I love her! Can we keep her?” I don’t know if she was just being sweet, but it felt so good to be recognized for my work. Were there things I forgot, things I got wrong? Of course. Even so, I had several I can do this, I could be good at this, moments during my time in clinic, which was so relieving and encouraging. Fourth year of medical school is fun in that you get more autonomy to practice for residency, but at the same time, it’s nerve wracking to see graduation looming and wonder Am I ready? I feel like my time in Gallup was really a turning point, and although I am still nervous for residency I know I can handle anything that comes my way.

Being out in New Mexico had it’s challenges though. I tried to keep myself busy to stave off the loneliness that crept up, but it was tough sometimes. I often went to bed at 8:00 because I didn’t have anything else to do with myself, but that sometimes gave way to me lying awake thinking about how homesick I was. I talked on the phone to family and friends, but that didn’t change the fact that I ate alone every night, and when I did go out to explore it was more likely than not to be by myself. I was luckily able to meet a girl from North Carolina on a travel assignment here, and the two of us went out a few times to have a little company, which was fun. There was another student from my school out here doing a similar rotation, so we met up a few times as well. It was nice to have a friendly face every so often.

I am pretty good at being by myself, but I think this time I was thinking about how I was missing a chunk of my last few months in Cincinnati, and getting anxious about leaving the people I know there. When I get back tomorrow, I will have exactly 7 weeks left before I graduate. I will match into a residency program on March 17^th, and this summer I will start somewhere new. My options range from New York to California, so although I submitted my preferences, I truly don’t know where I’ll end up.

It’s okay, though. This experience proved to me once again that I can make it work pretty much anywhere. I am grateful I had the experience to come out here and take care of a different patient population, and I saw some beautiful places on my days off. I am excited to get back to the Midwest and spend quality time with my friends before I leave, and finally find out where I matched! Stay tuned, friends, big things are coming.