It all began in 1996 when Doug decided to take the plunge and apply for medical school. For those of you who have gone through this tedious process know, you can't just "apply". Of course the first step is to get exceptionally good grades in all of your prerequisite classes. Then you must take the MCAT and hope you get a high enough score for the admissions committee to even look at your application. Luckily, we were blessed and Tulane happily excepted Doug in the fall of 1998. Moving across the country down South to Louisiana was quite an adventure. We loved every minute of it.
I remember feeling relieved, at ease, and little did I know this was just the beginning of the hoops we must jump through. After two years of labs, coming home smelling of formaldehyde and classroom lectures, Doug once again studied he tail off to take Step 1 of the medical boards. This test wasn't to be taken lightly since this particular score depended on where you would match a few years down the road. In 2000, his clinical work began and he took Step 2 of the medical boards that fall. Graduation approached much quicker than I ever thought it would. In March of 2002, from the 11 schools Doug applied to, we matched in San Antonio, Texas.
Residency was by far the toughest hurdle we have crossed. Two kids in tow and a third on the way, Doug continued to juggle his studying, adjusting to CRAZY hospital hours (4am-midnight). He had countless nights of no sleep, but still managed to be a wonderful husband, and father in his spare time. In the fall of 2002, he once again studied for his final Step 3 test. A little stress was lifted once those set of written tests were passed.
On his way to Chicago for 1st set of boards.
Year after year, and rotation, after rotation he managed to wade through the muck of residency. Doug was nominated Chief Resident in his class and walked away with an honorary orthopedic scholarship at graduation in 2007. Following graduation, Doug decided that a general orthopedic diploma wouldn't do and applied for a fellowship in Sports Medicine under Jesse DeLee. Fellowship brought another set of stress and pressures, but during this time he also had to study for his first set of medical boards. These happen to be the boards you often see framed in the hallway of your Dr's offices. If these aren't passed, despite all of your previous hard efforts, you won't be practicing medicine (legally that is). I am still in awe of how Doug much self dicipline he has. Aside from his crazy work hours, he once again made sure he studied each day, and also scheduled in family time with us.
Father's Day
In the summer of 2008, Doug flew out to take his first set of boards in Chicago. 6 weeks later, he recieved another sign of relieve in the mail, a P (for pass). He graduated from his fellowship and took his first job, joining a practice here in Chandler. A different set of stresses began to lie on his shoulders, learning the business side of things, loans becoming due, providing for your family, office overhead, worrying about patients YOU are now responsible for, etc. It's been a learning curve, but I think he has handled it well considering he dove into this entire process with a great attitude.
Father's Day
Last, but not least he has been collecting for his 2nd part of the medical boards. This time, he had to collect 6 months of surgeries turn in a log and the board chooses 12 out of those you submit. At first, I though wow, that doesn't seem too terrible, until I learned the fine details. Each of those 12 cases you must be able to present inside and out, complications, or no complications, procedures, where you did a certain incision why. The board (made of up 3-4 individuals) can pimp you about anything they want in your file. I think the scariest part, is this one is oral. So, if you aren't good at explaining things, or feel confident about what you are saying, you could flat out fail. Failing would mean, you get to start the 6 month process again, never mind the HUGE expense it costs to take this exam.
Off to Maine....
I am most certain Doug will pass. He has prepared, worked incredibily hard, and is on his way to Maine this Father's Day to devote a week of studying, strictly for this cause. But, like most people, he has doubt, and is definitely worried about the outcome. Afterall, this is his LAST hoop of the 12 years he must jump through. It's been a LONG, tedious process, but I have all the faith in the world he can do this. So come, July 24th he will take his last and final test in Chicago. I wish you the best of luck honey. I know you will do great!! And yes, we will be framing that LAST diploma for your office wall. September of 2010 (when he gets his score) can't come soon enough.......I love you Doug, Happy Father's Day!
It was so nice to park my bum on the beach while the boys just played in the sand and water. It also happened to be life guard training....not a bay watch shoot. Ha.
