Writing Workshop - Sherlyn Aldas

Exercise: Learning Log on Resident Dr. Blair Heinke's lecture on diet and exercise.

On Wednesday a resident, Dr. Heinke, came by to discuss diet and nutrition with the group. She asked us how we exercise and she gave us some ideas on how to continue. An example was using a pedometer and to make a goal in order to encourage exercise. She also told us that when making goals, to be sure to make them realistic goals. Fore example, we can not expect to lose 20 pounds in a month and if we do and fail, it will only make us give up. Another topic Dr. Heinke informed us of was about artificial preservatives and trans fats. Artificial preservatives are chemicals placed in foods in order to prevent spoiling, which can usually happen a lot quicker without it. However, these chemicals are very foreign to our bodies so it makes it hard to break them down. Trans fats are also similar; they are added in order to make food taste better but they are also hard to digest. Dr. Heinke recommended eating more organic food and healthier food as well such as vegetables and fruits or whole grain break. Even though Dr. Heinke gave us lots of information, I wish to learn about the chemicals and other things added to fast food which makes people addicted to it.

Writing Workshop - Sherlyn Aldas

Writing Workshop - Faith Fordjour

Exercise: Profiling an Obstetrician/Gynecologist using the My Health Career website. Faith would like to be an OBGYN so she answered the question "Why would you be a good OBGYN?"

Obstetricians and Gynecologists are two different types of physicians put into one due to the reproductive system. It is mostly simplified as an OBGYN. The Obstetrician specializes in the woman during pregnancy. Their job is to make sure that the woman is healthy and in good condition and also will come out as healthy as possible. That is where the Gynecologist comes in. The Gynecologist specializes in the woman's internal and external reproductive systems and how well it is or what they can do to make it better and/or healthier.

I would be a very good OBGYN. This is because I have the study of human anatomy and how the body works. Plus, as an OBGYN, I have to work with pregnant women and babies which is where my interests lie. I will have to be able to learn in a way that others will not have to and that works for me fine. What interests me the most is the fact that I am a female and I would like to learn about how my own body works and why it is what it is sometimes. Plus, as a female I be able to connect with the women. Most women would not like a man to be their OBGYN, as I wouldn't, so as a female OBGYN, it will help most women feel more comfortable and at ease so they can get the help that they need; whether doing during pregnancy or to make sure their reproductive systems are functioning well.

Writing Workshop - Faith Fordjour

Writing Workshop - Khmran Malik

As January is National Mentoring Month, we will be devoting many of our Writing Workshops to mentors. As gaining as much information on our mentors' education, life experiences and background that lead to their chosen career is an important part of the mentoring process, students will shape their work around these issues.

Exercise: Journal Entry on Mentor Placement.

Journal Entry: Journal writing is primarily done drawing on an individual's personal experiences. However, it can also draw on articles, situations and events that affect or provoke a response from you. Journal entries can also be written in many different forms, including an unsent letter. An unsent letter can be a great way to reflect on the purpose of seemingly mundane, everyday chores (Writer's INC, 2001).

Khmran has written an unsent letter to his mentor doing just that. The aim is for this to help him uncover what he would like to ask his mentor during the next few visits.

"Dear Mary,

My recent experiences at the hospital have been very fun and are chances for me to learn how a hospital works. I have learned that you always knock before you enter a patient's room as well as give your name. Speaking with respect to patients even if they are not respecting you is very important. I also learned that beginning on time is very important for both yourself and staff. I was surprised to find out that the nurses have their own list of patients to look after. I thought the nurse's could look after anyone. I was also surprised to see that there were so many lists of patients that change hour to hour, day to day. I wonder if the patents have to have a surgery or something done to them even if they don't want to. Do you have to do it? I hope these experiences will help me pursue my dream of becoming a Physician's Assistant or Occupational Therapist. I wish these moments will help me in the future, working in a hospital.

Thank you,

Khmran"

Writing Workshop - Khmran Malik

Writing Workshop - Faith Fordjour

Exercise: Learning Log on Resident Mandy Sacher's Depression/Anxiety presentation.

A Learning Log is a notebook in which you can "dig deeper" into what you have learned from classes, lectures, seminars, projects, etc. Some components include a summary, new ideas and concepts, things you want to know more about and arguing for or against a topic (Writer's Inc, 2001).

I learned a lot about Depression and Anxiety last week with the doctor. I learned that depression and anxiety go together but they are two totally different types of diagnoses, but one can lead to the other. I thought depression was just about someone feeling sad about themselves and anxiety was when someone got a panic attack but it goes further than that. There are many forms of depression and anxiety and they can destroy somebody's life. For example, when someone has an extreme form of anxiety, it stops them from doing the normal things they used ot do. That is when it turns into depression. Depression can = Anxiety.

Depression + Anxiety = A very bad situation.

The question is can all people that feel depressed or anxious be diagnosed?

The answer is no. This is because normally everyone experiences some type of depression or anxiety. The doctor has to know when it is so serious that it needs to be diagnosed and treated. When the depression/anxiety are left untreated they can be fatal. One very important thing to know is what type of diagnosis you have and to treat it with the proper medication or therapy before it is too late.

Writing Workshop - Faith Fordjour

Writing Workshop - Khmran Malik

Exercise: A Dialogue Journal on being a Pharmacist

In a Dialogue Journal an individual carries on a written conversation with a partner regarding experiences, books/articles and a variety of topics (Writer's INC, 2001). This week Khmran used the My Health Careers website to research what a Pharmacist does as well as what skills contribute to success in this profession.

sk: Hello Mr. Malik, I am a student and I would like to learn about Pharmacy!

mk: I am very glad that you want to learn about Pharmacy. To become a Pharmacist you have to have a Bachelor's degree and a Pharmacy program.

sk:Does your Bachelors need to be in a specific field?

mk: Yes, in Pharmacy.

sk: To become a Pharmacist, do you need to go to a special school?

mk: Yes, an accredited Pharmacy school.

sk: So what skills does a Pharmacist need?

mk: The skills a Pharmacist needs is to be good at science and problem solving.

sk: So how do you use these skills on a daily basis?

mk: You can use these skills on a daily basis by giving medications to patients who need them. You can check whether they need the medications or not.

sk: Do you get to work with patients a lot?

mk: Yes, you get to interact with them a lot.

sk: Well that seems pretty easy! Can anybody be a Pharmacist?

mk: If you want to be one you need to know the new and old medicines.

sk: Okay, well not so easy! Do how much does a Pharmacist make?

mk: On average...87,290 per year!

sk: Wow! Are you usually working in hospitals?

mk: It depends, you can work in hospitals or in a pharmacy.

sk: Cool! Thanks Mr. Malik!

Writing Workshop - Khmran Malik