2014 EMPA Graduates

Looking at your newest class of Emergency Medicine trained Physician Assistants.  It was a loooong grueling 14 months, but absolutely worth it.  Overworked and under-payed, dedicated to expanding our knowledge base and building our confidence to improve patient care.  2 months spent at community hospitals and 5 rotations including Orthopedics, Surgery, Internal Medicine, OB/GYN, and Pediatrics.  I finished my last shift on December 29th and have been working per diem at Arrowhead until I start my new job on March 1st in... Arizona!  Looking forward to the next adventure!

White Christmas

I've never actually had a white Christmas!!!  Well, except a light dusting at my brother's in Denver a few years back.  That's what growing up in Arizona does to you.  I had to work the night shift Christmas Eve then flew to Utah right afterward.  Both of my sisters and their families had been at my parents for a few days previous and were on their way to their in-laws', but I managed to see them both for a bit on the way.  We had a family Christmas dinner at Buca di Beppo in Salt Lake City and boy, was it delicious!  On our drive back to Ephraim the snow was down-pouring and I was afraid we wouldn't make it back alive, but indeed we did!

My parents had already opened presents with my sisters the day before so I got to have my own little Christmas.  I much prefer having little kids around for the excitement.  I literally spent the next 2 days sleeping my life away as I had been up for 36+ hours straight.  I'm preeeeetty sure I slept more than I was awake and I even fell asleep during Elf.  Noooooooo!!!  I NEVER fall asleep during movies (not even when I try), let alone my favorite movie!  I really must have been sleep deprived.  During my awake hours (ha), I tried to make a snow angel but the snow was just too powdery.  Just glad I got to be home for both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year!

About a week or so before Christmas, we had our friend Christmas party here in California.  We had a nice meal, made bags for the homeless complete with blankets, had a gift exchange, and watched Home Alone.  I love my friend family!

Thanksgiving

Unfortunately I missed the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning as I flew to Ephraim that morning, but fortunately I put in my 4.5 mile run the day before.  My mom had prepared a delicious meal with new sides and a good spread of pies for dessert.  Will you never overeat on Thanksgiving?  Let's be honest... probably not.

My most favorite part of the weekend was driving up into the mountains and scouting out the perfect Christmas tree to cut down and decorate in the living room.  It's hard work!  Many trees have bald spots, so it takes some time to find the perfect one, but that we did!  And speaking of thanks, can I say how grateful I was to be in Ephraim for the weekend, thus missing all Black Friday shopping?  More than I can say!

San Francisco & The Pacific Coast Highway

Since I was interviewing in Santa Cruz, I decided to make a road trip of it and hit up San Francisco and drive back via the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway).  My good friend, Sariah, joined me and we had the best time.  She'd never been to San Francisco before so it was fun to experience her excitement.  Our friend, John Cho (pictured below), joined us on some of our adventure and also found us a place to stay with some girls in the Palo Alto mid-singles ward.

Day 1 - Drive to Palo Alto via I-5
Road trips are my favorite!  Especially with Sariah.  We can laugh non-stop for dayssssss.  Met some friendly new people at FHE as it was conveniently located at our temporary place of residence.

Day 2 - Santa Cruz
Had my interview first thing in the morning and went out exploring in the afternoon.  Ok.  So EVERYONE talks up Santa Cruz like it's this ritzy glamorous little beach town, but do you wanna know the truth?  It's actually pretty run down and ghetto.  I don't know if I'd want to live here anyway.  The beach has it's perks, but a large homeless population doesn't.  Got a phone call while out exploring with a job offer!

Day 3 - San Francisco
Spent a few hours getting poured upon and drenched in the Muir Woods.  Those Redwood trees will never cease to amaze me.  They are ginormous.  I felt like I was back in Oregon with all the rain, ferns, and greenery everywhere.  Absolutely beautiful!

Took a few scenic shots of the Golden Gate Bridge on our way back into San Francisco, with our first stop being lunch... the most delicious fresh fish ever!

Spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around and exploring the city from Fisherman's Wharf to Ghirardelli Square to Chinatown to Painted Ladies (Full House anyone??) to Lombard Street (we may have gone down those curvy streets 2 or 3 times in a row...hey, there wasn't even a line!).  We tried to make it to Alcatraz Island, but all boat tours were sold out.  One of these days I'll make it there.

Day 4 - Drive to LA via the PCH
So the drive up took about 5 or so hours, but driving back via the Pacific Coast Highway extended our drive to almost 12 hours!!!  Granted we stopped a million times (breathtaking views) to check out Carmel-by-the-Sea, McWay Falls, the Bixby Bridge, some beached seals, and even spent a few hours at the Hearst Castle (highly recommended!).  I absolutely loved driving the PCH.  Windy roads are my favorite!

Side note: I was EXTREMELY bummed this amazing pool was under construction and was drained of water.  That drained the life right out of me.  Check it out here.

Job Interviews

With only a few months left of my fellowship, it was time to start the search for a real job!  In the ER, of course.  My job offers:

1) Arrowhead Regional Medical Center | Colton, CA

My program director offered me a job to stay at my current hospital, which was a huge compliment to me.  However, working at a county hospital, which is also the third busiest ER in the whole state of California, was not an easy feat for the last 14 months.  Spending time in 2 other community hospitals during my fellowship was like night and day.  If possible, I would like to move to a community hospital that was much less chaotic.  Don't get me wrong, it was a FANTASTIC place for learning as I will unlikely see again what I saw there.

2) Western Medical Center | Santa Ana, CA

This is a very small hospital close to Orange County, which is one place I've really wanted to live.  However, my company was just taking over the contract and lots of new changes were going to be implemented.  Not to mention, it's a very small ER seeing only 75 patients a day.  I would get to work with one my classmates there, though.  I just felt it would be challenging initially to start here.

3) Dominican Hospital | Santa Cruz, CA

I really like this ER!  This was probably my top choice.  Not to mention it's right on the beach!  However, I don't think I could afford to live in Santa Cruz, or even if I did it would be social death (no dating).  So the alternative would be to live in Palo Alto, which has a large mid-singles scene, but commute an hour each way.  I just had to decide if that's what I wanted to do...  Not to mention I would be much more isolated from friends and family.

4) Chandler Regional Medical Center | Gilbert Mercy Medical Center | AZ
What can I say?  This feels like home.  I grew up in AZ, but haven't lived there in 11 years.  Shocking, I know.  I have a good friend who works for this group (staffs 2 ER's) who recommended me for the job.  We took all of our pre-req's together at EAC back in the day.  He's had good things to say about the group and has been there 4-5 years.  Not to mention it's the highest paying job of them all AND the cheapest cost of living.  Oh, and did I mention it's home?  The only down side is that a doctor HAS to physically see every patient of mine AND I don't get to see any high acuity or do advanced procedures.  Say whaaaat?!  I get to do all that stuff now and the doctors in my fellowship don't even set eyes on every patient of mine.  So I would be losing some of my autonomy, but also decreasing my risk which is a good thing in Emergency Medicine.

5) University of Utah | Salt Lake City, UT
My dream location!  I have always wanted to live in SLC.  Although this was not technically a job offer, the lead PA basically told me he'd like to hire me if they had a position open but will keep me in mind for future openings.  This ER is similar to Arrowhead where I completed my fellowship in that I would continue to work with medical residents.  It would be an easy transition.  Granted I wouldn't see high acuity, traumas, or do advanced procedures but I would still have autonomy in the patients I do see.  Pay is lower (to be expected in Utah), but location is second to none and pension awaits you after putting in so many years.

6) Sanpete Valley Hospital | Mt. Pleasant, UT
24 hour shifts, one PA on duty at a time, no attending physician except by phone or present for traumas.  !5 minutes from my parent's house.  Perks: I get live in Utah where the great outdoors flourishes.  Downfall: no doctor available in house if I have a question.  Yes, I just completed a 14 month fellowship and am adequately trained, but I am still new and will always have questions.  I probably didn't feel comfortable enough until I have a few more years under my belt.

LOTS of options to weigh.... job announcement coming...